I think now, I would like to share my story. The story of God being number one in my life.
It was the summer before my Freshman year of high school (or so i think). Like most, I was a good kid. I stayed out of trouble, I got my homework done, I obeyed my parents, I probably even called myself a Christian, but that summer God revealed that there is a whole lot more to being a Christian than to simply being good. It was in July, I was at Family Camp and I was having a blast. On one of the first days, there was a speaker, and I dont remember what they were talking on or even who it was, but they asked to take 15 minutes and go to our favorite spot at Family Camp and just spend that time with God.
I loved baseball. I grew up playing baseball. So naturally, my quiet time took me to the ball diamond. I sat down against the backstop with my Bible thinking that this was going to be a long 15 minutes. Little did I know that God would change my life.
I opened up the Bible, and even now, I cant remember what I read, but I was convicted. Whatever I read revealed that I was guilty and that I was sinner. All the things that I had heard growing up that I pushed off to the side, I now realized that I was a sinner. Thou I was a good kid, I was without a Savior. I gave my heart to God that day.
I wish I could say that since then, my life has been easy. The problem with that day in July was that I never told anybody. I never professed that I had given my heart to God. After the camp ended, high school started. Even then, I feel I stayed a good kid. The only problem though was that I was doing it all on my own. I didn't have a church to really fall back on, I didnt have a youth group. My freshman and sophomore years were good years, I had fun, but I probably could have done a better job of glorifying God.
It was my junior year that things got pretty crazy. My junior year I played baseball. I made the varsity team and we were good...really good. I am struggling to find the words to describe this period in my life. See, I was a Christian, however God probably wasnt first in my life. For about a six month period, it was baseball. It became an idol. I lived for baseball. Granted, I didnt throw Christianity away. As a team we always prayed together. Personally, I always prayed Psalm 115:1 before every game "Not to us, Oh Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory. Because of your love and faithfulness." That year, God blessed us with an amazing journey that ended with us winning the state championship with a record of 35-0.
Fast forward to my senior year, its Christmas break and all I can look forward to is January 7th, the first day of practice. This is every guys dream. All boys look forward to their senior year, being the team captain and leading the team. This was what I was longing for. Yet on Sunday, Jan. 6th, God pricked my heart.
I was raised in the Apostolic Church. I liked it, I appreciated it, but I didnt know it was what I wanted at that time. Because what I wanted at that time was honestly this: popularity, baseball, and sure maybe even a girlfriend. Yet on Sun, Jan. 6, 2008, God opened up my eyes to how extraordinary the AC church was. Here I was just sitting in church and all of a sudden, I just fell in love with the church. The thought that came across my mind was "I can do this." I looked at the young group and noticed the support and closeness. I looked at the church and saw all the love. Yet what about baseball?
After church, I went home and had my wrestling match with God. Why did God have to step in. I had plans. I wanted to play baseball, go to Purdue, and then join the church. I tried to reason with God, "God, I need to play baseball. I can be such a light for You. Think of how I can glorify Your name. Remember Psalm 115:1 God!" Yet the conviction was still there. That night I went to a Bible study with some friends and teammates from school. Again, not sure what we even talked about but I left the Bible study that evening knowing that I had decision to make. I went home and had the talk with Mom and Dad. It was emotional but they were supportive of whatever my decision. I am not sure how it happened, but the next thing I knew, I was at my elder Ed's house. My battle with God and baseball had ended, amazingly, something I treasured so much, God took the desire away in a matter of hours. God opened my eyes to the tremendous opportunities that lied within the church. Again, the story does not end here.
The next day was school. How was I supposed to tell my coaches and teammates that I am not playing. Would my teammates understand? Ill be honest, Jan. 7, 2008 was probably one of the hardest days of my life. I told my coaches and teammates I wouldnt be playing. I had to clean out my locker. It was tough and Satan really worked me over. Are you really making the right decision? I wasnt sure anymore.
However, two things happened that I will never forget, probably changed my life. The first was Coach Gray. Coach Gray was a baseball coach. He worked more with pitchers and catchers and I was neither of those so I didnt really know him. But as I was cleaning out my locker, Coach Gray approached me. This was a convo I was not really looking forward to. He said "Joel, I want you to know I respect your church..." Oh boy, here it comes, nows the part about me walking out on my teammates. Instead, Coach Gray surprised me. He said "Joel, your decision to join the church is probably the best decision you will ever make. I am so happy for you." He then hugged me and said that if I change my mind, there is always a spot on the team. Wow...thank you God!
The last event is compliments of my sister in law Angie. It was in the midst of "did I make a right decision" I got a letter from Angie saying how happy she was for me. But in the letter she shared a verse that was perfect. Phil. 3:7 "But whatever was to my profit (baseball for Joel) I now consider loss for the sake of Christ." A long with that was attached a song called Knowing You. The conversation with Coach Gray and the verse and song changed everything for me. It was God saying that everything will be ok...He has a plan for me.
Since January 7th, God has continued to provide. There have been ups and there have been downs but God is faithful. If given the opportunity, I wouldnt change it. I am excited with where I am at and where God has placed me and I am excited to see whatever it is God has in store in this next stage of life.My prayer today, is still the same as it was on the baseball field so many years ago...Not to us, Oh Lord, not to us. But to Your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness.
My name is Joel Reinhard and I am second.
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