"DON'T DIE ON THIRD"

When I was 4 years old, I lived next door to our pastor. Naturally I had to be good. Well, most of the time. Maybe that's why we moved when I was 5.

Our pastor was Rev. Otho Williams, a highly respected minister known throughout the state. A devout Christian, he took an interest in youth. My cousin took an interest in his daughter, but that's another story. (Just like the writing to the right. Do you read it as Good or Evil?)

Pastor Williams coached a youth baseball team back in the early 50's, according to Logan St. Baptist interim Pastor Wendall Garrison. He told his players that once they reached base, they had to make it home. "Don't die on third (base)" was his constant call.

Of course being a minister, he was able to relate his baseball knowledge to scripture about finishing the race (1Cor 9:27), not being disqualified for the prize. The prize of course is the kingdom of heaven. And one must stay strong in the Lord to be able to go home, that is, to receive his reward. But the race is for the strong and one cannot come up short.

One of his former baseball players was wounded in Korea a few years after he played for Rev. Williams. It was a severe wound that took his life. Before he died, he sent word: "Tell Otho I didn't die on third." He had run the race. He had fought the good fight.

But it doesn't stop with this inspirational story. We, too, must finish the race. We, too, must fight the good fight. By being in prayer, being in the Word, being in worship service, and being servants for our Lord and Savior. It's a strict training regiment. But as Rev. Garrison said Sunday, and what my former neighbor would say, we can't go through life merely doing what we want to do. We have to do what God wants us to do. We can't die at first, second, or third base.