Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope

Joni Eareckson Tada: Welcome to Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Baseball season is now open! Play ball! My husband, Ken, loves heading to Dodger Stadium this time of year. It’s funny; I never hear him talk much about the game, but I sure do hear a lot about hot Dodger dogs slathered in mustard and onions. Dodger dogs are what he likes about baseball, I’m afraid.

Another thing that is funny is there he is, sitting in Dodger Stadium with his earbuds in his ears, and he’s listening to the game on the radio. He’s watching the game, yet listening on the radio! Honestly, one thing about baseball that Ken does like to keep track of is watching which pitchers the Major League teams will call up from the minor leagues. These hard-working young rookies are anxious and focused, hoping they’ll get called up into the majors.

Have you ever thought of life on this earth as the minor leagues, with Christians working really hard to gain a standing high up in the major leagues of heaven? I’m not talking about earning salvation. You can’t do that; that’s already been paid for with the blood of Christ, and we can add nothing to that. But we do have the opportunity to earn eternal reward in the next life.

Scripture tells us that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body. The way I live life on earth will affect my responsibilities, my opportunities, and even my joy in ways far beyond my ability to imagine. Everything I do down here on earth has an impact on the way I will one day live in heaven.

This is what makes the present life so exciting. It’s like a minor league baseball field in a small town. I’m so focused and I’m looking forward to getting called up into heaven. I can’t even begin to imagine the joy that’s going to fill my heart when I finally leave behind this small town called Earth. This earth is a place of preparation, and that’s the way it is for you, too.

Your nine-to-five job isn’t merely an occupation; it is a proving ground for your faith. Every earthly problem, every affliction, every task, household chore, and all the relationships that go with it—everything is a minor league exercise to outfit you, prepare you, and strengthen you for the major leagues for eternity. You have a lot of service to do in heaven and a lot of important work to do.

My longing for heaven is not a pie-in-the-sky desire to leave this tiresome old wheelchair behind. I can’t wait to get to heaven and realize that my earthly afflictions were just opportunities to demonstrate my faithfulness to Jesus. I want to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Stand firm, friend. The dawn is coming—life everlasting, oceans of light, and joy unspeakable.

Be trustworthy and remain faithful because one day you’re going to receive the call—the call that your very life depends on. The Master will be calling you to come up to the major league, and there will be no sweeter sound to your ears in time or eternity than to hear those words from your Savior and King: "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You’ve been faithful in a few things down in the minor leagues, and now you’ve earned your spot in the majors."

One more thing, friend. We at Joni and Friends would love to pray for you in your troubles. Share your prayer needs with us today at joniradio.org.