Psalms 25:1-5
I offer you my heart, Lord God,
and I trust you.
Don’t make me ashamed
or let enemies defeat me.
Don’t disappoint any
of your worshipers,
but disappoint all
deceitful liars.
Show me your paths
and teach me to follow;
guide me by your truth
and instruct me.
You keep me safe,
and I always trust you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our great-niece Erin, a high school junior, plays varsity softball. We attended a game that would probably
decide the conference championship. The opponents were very good…and
the game was a tight one. With a 3-3 tie in the last inning, the game
went into extra innings. The opposing coach vehemently protested a
called out at first base. The home plate umpire told the coach to take
it up with the outfield umpire (who made the call)…and he did. For
several minutes, they argued…but ultimately, the call stood.
There
was a runner on third base, and next batter hit a ball directly to the
pitcher - who threw the hitter out at first base. The first “baseman”
threw the ball back to home plate, and from all indications, the runner
from third base was tagged “out” at the plate. But the umpire declared
her “safe”…and the runner scored for this team to take the lead.
Our
girls were able to get the third out without any more scoring by the
opponents, and it was our team’s turn to bat in the bottom of the 8th
inning. We managed to score a run to tie the score once again…and to
make successive hits that moved Erin to third base. With the next hit,
Erin was able to sprint over home plate – and secure the win for our
team! I don’t have to tell you that we were all excited about this…and
so happy for our girl and her teammates!
Here’s what this has
to do with us as Christians. The coach did what coaches do…he
complained about one call in hopes of getting the next call to go his
way…and it appeared to have worked! But in the end, this tactic did not
win him the game. I’m not in any way saying that this coach or the
opposing team did anything wrong. In fact, it was a really good, fun
game in which both teams played very hard.
I also do not mean to
imply that God impacted the victory in our team’s favor…or that God
cares all that much about high school girls’ softball in the first
place! But God does care about our efforts. He cares that we do our
very best in every endeavor…that we keep our heads down and persevere,
just as our team did yesterday. It would have been so easy to fold
after the opponents took the lead on that controversial call. And in
life, there are plenty of times when we could give up, based on what
others have said about us or done toward us. Honestly, in many
instances, no one would blame us.
But God doesn’t operate like
the world. He calls us to “keep on keepin’ on”…to live with integrity,
faith - and confidence that He will guide us in truth and keep us safe.
How we handle adversity – even on a varsity softball field – says a lot
about us as Christian disciples. Our actions – and reactions –
matter. They can make a point – or make a difference. We can decide
whether we want to be champions with God…or give up when things get
tough and muddle through with an attitude of defeat. God will love us
either way. But what will this say about our heart – and our level of
faith?
I wish you could have seen our Erin after she scored.
She jumped up and down behind home plate with exuberance – then ran into
the arms of a volunteer coach who spun her around with sheer
exhilaration. And this is how I picture God welcoming us when we offer
Him our heart and our very best.
What about you…how are you
operating these days? Are you offering God your best and trusting Him
to do amazing things? Are you “sprinting across home plate” in victory
and enjoying the thrill of His delight? Don’t you think it’s time you
were?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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