As the seasons shift, so do our lives. Here in the Low Country, where the marshes meet the sea, we find ourselves in a unique rhythm—a dance of tides, traffic, and transformation. Welcome to this sacred space, where faith intertwines with the everyday, and where the eternal meets the temporal.

Navigating Traffic Armageddon

Yesterday, I ventured onto the island, and oh, the traffic! To those who call this place home year-round, I offer my prayers. May patience be your companion as the influx of visitors converges upon our shores. But amidst the congestion, there’s a sense of anticipation—an energy that whispers, “Welcome, pilgrims!” For this is the season of arrivals and departures, of sun-kissed vacations and shared sunsets.

The Fire Ants and Lessons in Unity

Let me tell you about my baseball team—the Fire Ants. Yes, we intentionally chose a name that resonates with our Low Country roots. Our roster was a delightful mix: seasoned players who’ve swung bats since they could walk, and newcomers who’d never felt the leather of a mitt. Over the season, they grew—not just in skill but in camaraderie. Wins were sweet, losses humbling. And through it all, they discovered that life is more than a game; it’s a journey of character formation.
As their coach, I reveled in their growth. Sports, you see, mirror life. We learn to lose gracefully, knowing that victory isn’t the only measure of success. It’s about the bonds forged in the dugout, the encouragement shouted across the diamond, and the shared sunflower seeds during rain delays. In a fractured world, building teams—whether on the field or in our hearts—is vital.

The Easter Message: Renewal and Resurrection

Now, let’s pivot to the heart of our sermon series: the power to change. Easter, with its empty tomb and risen Savior, beckons us toward transformation. Jesus didn’t merely die for us; He died to birth new life within us. It’s more than behavior modification; it’s spiritual metamorphosis. We call it sanctification—the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit shaping us into vessels of grace.

Why, then, do we hesitate to embrace change? Perhaps because it reflects how we perceive ourselves. We’re flawed, fragile vessels—yet God’s love pours into our cracks, making us vessels of hope. So, let’s shed the old skin of self-doubt and step into the light of renewal. Like the fire ants, we can grow together, even when life’s curveballs threaten to strike us out.

The Dance of Habits

Ah, habits—the rhythm of our days. Some lift us heavenward; others weigh us down. Let’s cultivate the good ones—the morning prayers that anchor our souls, the kindness that blooms unexpectedly, the habit of seeing God’s fingerprints in every sunrise. And as for the bad habits? Well, let’s surrender them at the cross, trusting that grace will rewrite our patterns.

So, my fellow pilgrims, let’s navigate this traffic Armageddon with grace. Let’s swing for the fences, knowing that even our strikeouts contribute to the grand narrative. And when the sun sets over the salt marshes, may we echo the ancient words: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.”