Pastor Paul - Wiser than ever.

Pastor Paul playing on the River Rats Baseball Team

What does courage look like?  You see it in the actions of the one who has it.  It is not a static quality, like height or IQ.  You may not even know it is there when it is not needed.  After all, courage is only ever seen when it is needed, and not everyone possesses it in the same measure, or even at all.

Pastor Paul has done some amazing things in his life.  He had a successful career as a sports broadcaster for a popular radio station.  Then he received his calling for going into the ministry.  He stepped up to the plate, figuratively speaking.  No doubt there was a certain amount of uncertainty and soul searching - the kind it takes when making such a monumental transition.  Yet he went to bat with a 100% conviction that it was what had to be done.  That took courage.

We have enjoyed Pastor Paul at our church for a little over two years.  His education and training complete; he stepped up to the mound and gave it his all.  He was well received, and evidence was all around that it was the right move.  Just settling into his new position, with things just starting to settle down and form some assemblage of routine, then he had a serious curve ball thrown at him - and from out of nowhere.  He had a heart attack.

A strong, vibrant young man with a family to care for was suddenly struck down, and at the beginning of his new career no less.  It could have been devastating - like a triple play in the world series - with disastrous consequences.  Yet Grace was on his side, and he received three stents in his coronary arteries to return the flow of blood to his ailing heart.  Stricken, but not out, he chose to play on.

Some would have called it quits then and there.  Some would question why this would happen, give up hope and fall into a deep depression.  Pastor Paul did what all courageous people do when they are down and the odds are against them; he fought back.  With determination in his eyes and hope in his soul, he overcame the chasm between where he was and where he wanted to be.  He would tell you that it was God who healed him; that it was all part of His plan and that he was only doing what any good servant would do.  But inside is still the man that made it happen, and pushed his way to better health with a positive attitude.

It has not been that long since his stent operation, but Paul has been making a comeback.  He has joined the church's baseball team.  He is taking other precautions to make sure that he does not face the same hurdle again. I have had the pleasure of playing with Pastor Paul on the baseball team.  He plays with the same determination on the field as he has while struggling with other challenges life has thrown at him.  His actions on the field are a metaphor for his behaviour in life.  "Well done, good and faithful servant, well done."