Recently I saw an article listing 50 quotes of former major league baseball player, Yogi Berra. I was in tears as I read the entries from the list, but the one that really hit my funny bone was “Never answer an anonymous letter.” My first reaction was, “Say What???” With statements such as “When you come to a fork in the road, take it”, “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore”, and “We made too many wrong mistakes” … the man was unintentionally hilarious!
We were avid Yankee fans when I was a kid and I loved watching Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Yogi Berra on our old black and white TV each Saturday morning. Typically Maris batted third, with Mantle hitting cleanup, followed by Yogi batting 5th. What a star-studded batting sequence, particularly in 1961 when both Mantle and Maris were chasing Babe Ruth’s home run record! Interviews with these stars were priceless, particularly Yogi.
So what’s the spiritual significance of “Never answer an anonymous letter.” I’m glad you asked! Anonymous letters rank right up there with phrases like, “somebody told me” and other passive-aggressive phrases. I’m certain most of us have been victims of people who communicate this way. I have decided that if I don’t know who “someone” is, then the message being conveyed really isn’t worthy of my time or consideration. If you have a point, use your words and tell me to my face.
I love that Jesus makes his point very clear in the book of John. This is no anonymous letter, it’s the truth clearly presented in God’s Holy Word about who Jesus is.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:1-5
Jesus is not some anonymous entity hiding somewhere in the darkness waiting to be discovered by us. He is clearly visible as He patiently waits for us to hear His words and to understand that He is God and always has been. His entire life is a love letter directly from Him and written in red with the blood He so freely gave on our behalf. His desire is a relationship with each of us with clear communication. No anonymous letters come from Him … you will know Him when you see Him.
Yogi had it right, “Never answer an anonymous letter.” Instead, respond to the One who personally speaks truth to your heart.
Simple Faith 