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A League Of Your Own

I have been bowling with a group of “senior bowlers” for some time.

It is an informal group with all different skill levels. It doesn’t matter your level, just show up and bowl. One morning my bowling activities got into my head.

On this particular morning, I had a startling dream. Some bowler said a letter had been sent out, telling of the formation of a new special team or some kind of special league, but didn’t know for sure who had sent it. I never got to read the letter and thus did not know how to join the team. As I set out to find the letter, no one seemed to have a copy nor to know what it said. That is where the dream ended. No details, just an abrupt and vivid ending leaving me feeling unable to join the new league.

Startled by this event in my mind, I struggled to understand what it could mean. Unable to return to sleep, I wrote down some thoughts that came to mind. What if the team captain just invited all who wanted to come and join His team? But the letter gave significant qualifications.

In life, we have a team Captain whose group is different in an important way. All must qualify.

First, the Captain is Jesus Christ! He is the Captain of my salvation and all who believe in Him.

What are the requirements to enter? For starters, we must be sinless. How can this be since all of us have sinned? Romans 3:23 says “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

In Exodus 20 we find the Ten Commandments. We don’t have to go very far down that list to see we have a sin problem.

Romans 6:23 states, “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

What about the gift then? John 1:12 reads, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”

So what could such a poor comparison of some kind of league have to do with what we have read thus far? As a child I heard of Jesus Christ the Son of God, the forgiver of sins, but to me it seemed that I had to do certain things and live a certain way to “get in.”

Later as a young adult I saw this great truth from the pages of the Bible as the most wonderful news: that HE, Jesus Christ, died on the cross, was put in the tomb but arose on the third day, thus paying for my sins and yours (if you believe). Jesus paid the wages of my sin and will give me entrance into His kingdom as promised in Romans 6:23.

Right then and there I confessed to Him that I had messed up my life (sinned) and asked Him to take over my life (for Himself). It was like a great load had been taken off me, and I was set free at last and forever!

I don’t know who may eventually read this letter; apparently, you have. Perhaps you may say, “Oh, I don’t know if can believe this?” or “How can this be?” or “I have messed up so badly.” Then I suggest that you get a Bible and check it out for yourself. The entire Bible is intended to be read, but to get started read the Gospel of John, followed by Romans, and see God’s message for yourself.

I don’t know what your game of life is. But to all who would come and believe on Him, I say, you will never regret it. Remember that HE is waiting to hear from you! In bowling jargon, “You’re up next!”

P.S. To those of you who use social media, please pass this on, for who knows to whom it may have great meaning.

Thank you, your friend,

Richard Powell

Scripture verses quoted from the King James Version (KJV)

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