The Journey

If you were watching the Cardinals Thursday night, you may have caught a homerun by Rick Ankiel, who was just called up from Triple-A that night. If you were paying close attention, you may have also noticed Manager Tony LaRussa's reaction when Ankiel flicked his wrist and redeemed what was an 0 for 3 night. LaRussa's reaction could only be described as unsuppressed joy. I don't believe I've ever seen him look like that. When McGwire hit 62, when Pujols rocked Brad Lidge with a walk-off two years ago in the NLCS, or when the Cards won the World Series last year, it was always the same reaction-an affirming nod behind dark glasses, and maybe a shake of pitching coach Dave Duncan's hand. But even though the homerun didn't really change the game all that much, LaRussa was smiling, yelling and just going nuts.

The moment I saw his reaction, I said to myself, "That's a guy who's invested." And I know there are plenty of people who display emotion to fool people into thinking they care, but in this case it was an obvious, unrehearsed sign that LaRussa cared about whether Rick Ankiel succeeded or failed. And whatever I think about Tony LaRussa as a manager, or even as the manager of Rick Ankiel, it reminded me that this kind of emotional reaction is not unfamiliar to me, or to any leader who has spent time caring for, investing in, and worrying about the people he/she leads.

So here you are. And if you're reading this, you're probably part of our church, or another church, or at least curious about what a church is all about. And I'm thinking how many people who come to a church like The Journey have had their own journey much like Ankiel had walking into the majors ten years ago. There's an excitement to see what they'll become. They're young in their faith, new to the church or Christianity. And sort of like Ankiel, there's a lot of buzz surrounding them at first. But for whatever reason people fall through the cracks, walk away, or, like Ankiel, just fall apart.

I'd like to think for the last several years since Rick Ankiel was sent down to the Minor Leagues, LaRussa has been sitting up at nights worrying about whether Rick would succeed. He's been questioning his own judgment and past decisions, and mulling over what to do for Rick next. What I saw on Thursday night looked like someone who thinks this way, like someone who walks with a player through his failures and successes, sharing in their losses and their wins.

And I thought that kind of thinking wasn't so different than what the leaders of The Journey feel too. Because as a member, or regular attender, or even someone who is just considering church as a place they could come and find a home, you should know that your elders, deacons, and ministry leaders care about whether you grow and mature in Christ. They sit up nights thinking about whether they're leading you in the right direction. They mourn their mistakes. And when they're surrendered to what God is doing, they're humbled by their successes.

As I was writing this and feeling really good about myself as a leader who carries people's burdens, I remembered this guy who'd done it all way better than I had. I mean, when he carried people's burdens, he actually carried them. He put them on himself, and hung on a cross and died for them. And while this wasn't a spontaneous reaction like LaRussa's, the joy had been set before this man before the world began and was infinitely greater.

So he suffered. He wanted to suffer for our sufferings and rejoice in our triumphs so much that he could say, "I'll die before people have to suffer in sin anymore. I'll die so that they can have life." I mean, when it gets right down to it, even at my best, I'm only trying to model this leadership that was Christ's sacrifice. I don't even come close.

You could be feeling like Rick Ankiel may have felt several years ago when he was sent back down to the minors. I'm sure he felt like a failure. I'm sure he questioned whether he'd been coached right. He wondered if he would ever get back to the good graces of Cardinal fans?

If you feel like a spiritual failure, like you're just bouncing around the minor leagues, know that we're pulling for you. Let a leader know you need some coaching. And when you're questioning our judgment, know that we're sitting up all night questioning and praying over it, too. When you're wondering where you're headed, know that we want to get along side you and walk with you as you find your way. That's why this church is called The Journey. Because the spiritual life is one.

But secondly, know that Christ is pulling for you so much that he died so your performance wouldn't define your status with God like Ankiel's performance defines his in pro sports. And know that while the leaders of The Journey do their best, Christ's leadership is perfect. He will not lead us wrongly. And when you're worried about the future, his plan is perfect.