An Undeniable Nudge from Heaven?

By Donna Avey

Do you ever receive an undeniable nudge from Heaven?

I meet with a group of Business and Professional Women whom I have loved as sisters since I came to Alaska in 1989. One of them sent the chat group a devotional, “Let’s Play Ball,” written and published by Judy Ann Young through her #Judyannspeaks and “HeartSpace.” VIEW HERE

HeartSpace #120, titled “Let’s Play Ball,” emphasizes remaining coachable and asserts that believing there is nothing left to learn causes one to sit out the game of life. Judy Ann Young notes that God continuously provides new levels of mastery and purpose, urging individuals to get off the sidelines rather than observing from the bleachers.

As I face each new physical challenge of aging, I pray to understand how to keep doing God’s work—my calling—at the same time. The push I felt in this devotional is to keep showing up and stepping out, despite how uncomfortable it may be.

Each of us has a community we have connected with over the course of our lifetimes. Yes, it may be 50 years since I used to street witness in New York or Washington, D.C., with a member of the New Hope Singers for a God Bless America Rally, but I am still connected in heart.

The message Heaven gave me is: “Do it. Renew and reinvigorate your determination. Each day, joyfully share the greatest gift humanity has ever been given—that the blessing of True Parents, making the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, is a reality.”

Loudly and kindly, I heard: “Open your mouth. Testify! Keep doing it! And be joyful.”

Maybe this will speak to your heart, too. 

Let’s do our utmost to bring in many “good plays” for Heaven.

#120 Let’s Play Ball

The moment you believe you have nothing left to learn is the moment you begin sitting out the game of life.

I love learning—especially when the subject is something I already think I’m pretty good at, like cooking, motorcycle riding or storytelling. Because no matter how skilled we become, there is always another level of mastery waiting for us.

Recently, I coached a young couple. As I asked questions they had never considered, I watched their faces light up with one “aha” moment after another. After they left, I realized what made the session so refreshing: they were coachable.

When I study the greats, I notice they all share that quality. Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali were among the very best, yet neither believed talent made coaching unnecessary. They understood that even greatness needs guidance.

A good coach tracks your progress, holds you accountable and helps you see the blind spots you cannot see for yourself. And many of us don’t recognize a blind spot until after the collision—when all we can say is, “I never saw that coming.”

Being coachable means remaining open at the top—humble enough to recognize that God can still teach us something through a person, a challenge, a new skill or an unexpected experience.

We don’t grow old simply because the years pass. We grow old when we stop being curious, stop asking questions and become more committed to being comfortable than to becoming.

Life is not stagnant or etched in stone. Spirit is forever creating, expanding and inviting us forward. When we resist learning, the world doesn’t stop evolving—we simply get left behind defending the way things used to be.

No matter your age, there is tremendous value in learning something new, developing a hobby, taking a class or working with a coach. Growth in one area often awakens possibilities in every other area. It stimulates the mind, strengthens confidence and reminds us that we are still becoming.

But once we choose the sidelines, it becomes easy to criticize the people courageous enough to remain on the field. Before long, we’re sitting in the nosebleed section of our own lives—too far away to experience the joy, movement and purpose of the game.

As long as there is breath in your body, God is not finished with you. There is still something to learn, something to offer and another level of yourself waiting to be called forward. So lace up your shoes. Find a coach. Reenter the arena—and let’s play ball.

Because God did not breathe life into you so you could spend it judging the game from the bleachers. You were given breath, gifts and purpose because you were born to get on the field—and leave your mark on the game.

The clock is still running. Your purpose is still calling. And the game isn’t over until God says it is.

Now get off the bench—and play like Heaven drafted you.

And so it is. Amen.

**** #Judyannspeaks