It’s hard to believe that we are in inning six already. This game is more than half over and there is still a lot to talk about.
Baseball – Playing field:
In baseball, the game is played in a stadium on a playing field that’s inside that stadium. Every stadium, often called a ballpark, is built with different dimensions. The distance from home plate to the outfield wall varies from stadium to stadium. There are some dimensions that are exactly the same from ballpark to ballpark. That is the distance from base to base and from the pitcher’s mound to home plate.
Life – Playing field:
In life, our playing field varies from person to person. The city we live in, the family we are part of, the job we work at, the friends we have, the church we attend are all different. Just like the ballpark however, some things are consistent from person to person in life. Let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about what is consistent from person to person.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Colossians 2:8 (ESV)
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Baseball – Time commitment:
Baseball demands a huge time commitment from those who play the game. Not only do they spend a lot of time practicing, conditioning and playing games, but they are on the road for half their games. That means for 81 games per year, they are away from home. Folks, that’s a lot of commitment!
Life – Time commitment:
If a person is striving to follow the lead of Christ, it certainly requires time commitment. What do we find in the Word of God, the Bible, regarding the wise use of our time?
Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV)
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)
1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
Psalm 90:12 (ESV)
12So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Romans 13:11 (ESV)
11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
Lord, please help each of us to be good stewards of our time, for your glory. In the name above all names, Jesus Christ I pray. Amen