After last Friday’s post, I mentioned to my wife Shirley that I had probably exhausted the analogy of baseball compared to life itself. Shirley’s response was one of surprise that I would even say that. She proceeded to tick off several topics in baseball that I hadn’t touched on yet. She went on to say, “There are 9 innings in a baseball game, so you have to write about 9 innings of the correlation between baseball and life.” So here we are… beginning inning number five:
Baseball – Sportsmanship:
In baseball there is a rule book that covers every situation that could be encountered in the course of a ballgame. It covers everything from three strikes you’re out and four balls you walk, to what to do if a fan interferes with a ball in play, and everything in between. There is also an unwritten book on sportsmanship. It covers from being a good loser as well as a good winner, to never taunting the other team.
Life – Sportsmanship:
In the Bible the Apostle Paul exhorts us to be humble, gentle, patient and in unity.
Ephesians 4:1-8 (ESV)
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
Proverbs 24:17-18 (ESV)
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, 18 lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.
Baseball – this is for each individual player’s enjoyment and the enjoyment of others:
Baseball is a team sport; however, the individual players certainly enjoy playing the game! It is also for the enjoyment of the fans. I have heard it said that baseball doesn’t draw as many fans per game (25,000 to 40,000) as football (70,000 or more). Consider the fact that 6 or 7 baseball games are played per week compared to 1 football game a week. And I think you’ll conclude that baseball is still enjoyed by the fans!
Life – this is for each individual’s enjoyment and the enjoyment of others:
Isaiah 55:12 (ESV)
12 “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Folks, if you are playing baseball, play it to win but also play for the shear enjoyment of the game. Likewise in life, play to win against your advisory the devil but enjoy the journey along the way! Yes, you can do both at the same time!
Heavenly Father, please help us to be winners in life, exhibiting good sportsmanship, and enjoying the process as we live our lives dedicated to You. It’s in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen!