A Case of Mistaken Identity

story by: lisa petrarca

Coach Anthony showed up at the local recreation basketball courts, looking to recruit a few kids to play on his high school, PC Hoops team. He had an abundance of fast, skill position boys, but absolutely no height...which is a must in basketball.

Scanning the courts, he spotted a skinny boy, towering over the other kids, watching them shoot around. He quickly made a bee-line towards the boy, shouting as he approached, "Hey, how tall are you?"

"6'7," he replied.

"Perfect! Do you want to play for my basketball team?"

"Oh, I can't," he quickly answered. "I play baseball."

Really? I could've sworn you were a basketball player with that height," Anthony said in obvious disappointment.

"No, I can't because of baseball, sorry," he shrugged, as he walked away.

One of the boys on the team ran up and said, 'Don't you know who that is coach?"

"No...but he sure looked like a basketball player and I was hoping, our new center," he replied.

"Well he's one of the top baseball players in the Nation! He's probably going to the pro's straight out of high school," he smugly responded.

Anthony had mistaken this star baseball player for a basketball player. His appearance portrayed something he wasn't. An obvious case of mistaken identity. Which brings me to an important question, "Do you give the appearance of something you're not? Do you try to fit in with the crowd, saying and doing things that you're later ashamed of? Or do you strive each day to live a life, showing the love of Christ that is in you?"

We all fall short, and can give others an unclear view of who we truly are inside, often causing "a case of mistaken identity." But God knows you. He knows your heart. You need to seek Him, so your heart and mind can be transformed into who you are in Christ. Moving into all He's called you to be. Daily prayer and scripture study allows the transformation to take place...one day at a time, through a personal relationship with Him. YOUR IDENTITY IS NEVER MISTAKEN WITH GOD. He sees through the hurt, pain and facade. Grow closer and stronger in Him so you can show others who you are in and through Christ, who gives you strength and renews you daily!

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit..."
1 Peter 3:13-18

What Is My Purpose?

story by: lisa petrarca

When I think about my life and all the things that have happened over the years, I remember wondering over and over again, "Why am I here? What is my purpose?

I always hoped to make a grand contribution...make a difference that matters, be a person that others would say, "She did something great with her life!"

Imagine my surprise when at 44 years old, I realized that I have made a difference, I have a purpose, I can help others.

Each day I'm given opportunities to reach out and either encourage or discourage people. I have a choice. I can make a conscious decision on how I will treat people. I can be a person of great Godly character by making a right choice each step of the way. I can push through my difficulties and reach out to the Lord for help. I can pray for others and be a source of strength and comfort when they need a shoulder to lean on.

I am here for a purpose, I've been assigned a task that is very important. A job not for the faint of heart or the weary.

I can complete my hours each day and know that I've run the race, I've sailed my sea, I've climbed my mountain, I've conquered my fears.

All this has been possible through the Lords loving guidance each morning.

He assigns special people to cross my path. He fills me with His spirit of unconditional love so that I can then go out and be a blessing. That is our purpose, our job, to show the unconditional love of Jesus Christ to everyone we come in contact with.

It's that simple!

Then out of that love will flow your individual gifts and talents. Start at the beginning, start with love and then you'll know you're on the right road to finding your true life purpose.

Love conquers all!

LOVE

And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self -seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 & 13