I was sitting here tonight, Monday, watching the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game and simultaneously talking with the Lord about Tuesday’s blog subject. As I often do, I said, “Lord, what do You want me to write about, not what do I want to focus on.” Initially, nothing was coming to mind. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, I’m thinking “how about the similarities between baseball and life itself.” I thought to myself, (WOW!) that sounds like a subject I can enjoy delving into! Okay… but are there similarities between my favorite spectator sport and life???? – Let’s find out! –
Baseball – Effort:
You have to put in the work no matter what your position is on the field. All the players are important.
You have to have good pitching, but you also have to have good hitting and good fielding!
Life – Effort:
You also have to put in the work in life. Every person is important, and no matter your job, position or ministry, your max effort along with the Lords help, creates a winning combination!
1 Corinthians 12:18-21 (NLT2)
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT2)
23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
Baseball – Winners:
One loss doesn’t mean it’s all over, no more chances, that’s all there is! My Cardinals illustrated that to me on Monday night as I was beginning to write this post: Cardinals were ahead 2 to 0, ninth inning, 2 outs on the Mets. The Cardinals commit 2 costly blunders and the Mets win 5 to 2. It almost caused me to throw a shoe at the TV. Almost! LOL
Then I realized, there are lots of opportunities to win in the future. There are a total of 162 regular season games, and depending on how well they play, there are playoff games and maybe even World Series games. The team shouldn’t have a defeated attitude just because they happened to lose one or two games. It’s not unusual for the World Series winner to have had 50 to 60 losses in the regular season. They need to stay positive, work hard and win in the future.
Life – Winners:
There are going to be setbacks in Life. When those inevitable obstacles occur, and believe me they will, we must remember setbacks are only temporary. With the help of Holy Spirit we can learn from them, grow and improve, and move ahead to future victories.
James 1:2-4, 12 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Philippians 4:13 (NLT2)
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
I’m finding out that the bases are loaded with situations in baseball that can be compared to our lives.
