Prepare the Way
I have often wondered why beginners in any sport cannot learn their sport on the best fields, courts, or courses.
When I was a kid, playing baseball was a contact sport. I played infield (mostly shortstop and third base) and the field I played on was filled with rocks and dirt clods. It was not maintained in any legitimate way. Honestly, it was a step above a goat farm, and we were expected to learn skills there. The “contact” I refer to was hard hit ground balls that I would (as baseball fundamentals teach) step in front of. Many times, at the very last moment as I anticipated the ball snapping into my glove, I would instead see the ball hit a rock and bounce (in slow motion) directly into my chest or face. It hurt. To say the least that was discouraging. Many times, I thought about quitting.
Eventually I became good at taking those hard grounders to the chest and was often praised by coaches for my courage in “knocking” those hard grounders down and throwing runners out. However, I felt like I caught more grounders in the chest than I did the glove. That was not fun. It was discouraging and eventually I did quit.
Back to the point I made earlier.
Had I learned to play on a field that had a modicum of maintenance I believe my experience would have been completely different. My feelings about baseball might have been more of accomplishment, confidence, and pride in my improving skill rather than fear and dread of a ball being hit in my direction.
When Jesus arrived on the scene his cousin John the Baptist was making sure that everyone was ready for His arrival. John was busy baptizing people in the wilderness in preparation for the beginning of Christ’s ministry.
John said, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for Him.”
In essence he was saying, “Get the field ready” not just for Jesus, but for those who would benefit from His ministry.
At Cornerstone we believe in educational programs. What we don’t believe in is educational programming apart from faith-focused, ongoing mentoring relationships.
We recruit and train folks who have a heart to “prepare the way” for the students who participate in our Faith and Finances and Jobs for Life class. These incredible folks become the grounds crew, equipment managers, coaches, and encouraging teammates for our students. Our mentors cannot play the game for our students, but they are supporting them by smoothing some of the rough surface in front of them through their encouragement, friendship, accountability, and skill development.
What we see in our students is a ton of courage. Most believe that God has an “abundant life” waiting for them in the future. We believe that too. But they have been stepping in front of hard-hit ground balls and the playing surface of their life has battered them. Who can blame them for thinking about quitting…?
Divorce.
Debt.
Predatory lending.
Single parenthood.
Poor credit.
Lack of affordable childcare
Abuse.
Lack of education.
Crushing medical bills.
Car problems.
Addiction.
Lack of affordable housing.
As our mentors help “prepare the way,” we are blessed to occasionally witness our students experience the satisfaction found when life smacks a hard-hit grounder in their direction, and they snap it up and “make the play” at first. These times are contagious, and they look like…
Paying off a debt.
Making a budget.
Connecting with a local congregation.
Completing a resume for the first time.
Interviewing for and getting a job.
Pursuing an opportunity they formerly believed was not for them.
Walking away from a toxic relationship.
Finding community when they once felt alone.
Joining Celebrate Recovery.
Repairing poor credit.
Buying their first a home.
Our students deserve to be “playing” in the well-groomed, well-prepared “fields” of life.
They aren’t…
But, because of the ongoing care and commitments of our Champions and Allies (mentors), our students are benefitting by playing on fields with much improved conditions!