In my previous blog we discussed going to bat. If sin is the pitch then we know who the pitcher is, right? He's been pitching at people for thousands of years. Don't let the horns distract you...he's good at what he does. We each go to bat and face some of those pitches every day; anger, depression, lust, sadness, frustration, anxiety and bitterness (to name a few). We know the pitches we can hit, and the one’s we
struggle with. Curve balls, sinkers, sliders…whatever. The
pitches keep coming and before long you’re in the ultimate on-deck circle (your
bed) completely fearful of ever going to bat again.
So what are we to do? We are to listen to our coach.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Remember why you are here; to play, to live and to learn. Look around you, enjoy the company of your teammates, smell the grass, feel the bat of your free will in your hands and swing with a purpose. Remember those who have come to bat before you and those that will follow you, including the ultimate batter of them all:
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:3)
So what are we to do? We are to listen to our coach.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Remember why you are here; to play, to live and to learn. Look around you, enjoy the company of your teammates, smell the grass, feel the bat of your free will in your hands and swing with a purpose. Remember those who have come to bat before you and those that will follow you, including the ultimate batter of them all:
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:3)
Jesus took the game for what it was and focused not on the "at bats" but on the final score. When we wish to give up, when the pitches are too many and the game has worn us down, remember that He endured and remember WHAT he endured:
"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." (Hebrews 12:4)
Jesus died in the batter's box, swinging away, hitting pitch after pitch, for you and me. As God on earth he did not even need to be in the stadium, much less go to the plate. But He knew what we would face in our lives so he gave us an example. Not of perfection, but of effort.
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