Step Up to the Plate and Swing
“Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1
I think the year was 1991. The Atlanta Braves were the miracle team of the year. They had gone from worst to first, and they were in the World Series. I remember watching the 7th game. It was a real nail-biter. The pitchers, Steve Avery and Jack Morris, were flawless, the defense for both teams was terrific, and no one had scored.
In the 9th inning, the Braves were at bat. Lonnie Smith had somehow made it to first. The next batter had a good, solid hit, and Lonnie should have easily scored the winning run. But an infielder pretended to be catching the ball even though the ball was still in the outfield. Lonnie was fooled, and he cautiously stopped on 3rd. He never scored. The game went into extra innings. The Minnesota Twins later scored the game’s only run, and they were the World Champions that year.
The Braves were probably the best team. They played good defense, but caution kept them from scoring. Caution kept them from winning the World Series.
ˇStep Up
Here is a fact. You don’t win ballgames unless you score. Good defense has never scored a run; only offense can score. In baseball, the best way to win is to step up to the plate and swing the bat.
In the game of baseball, there is a place for the players who spend most of their time sitting on the bench. However, in the service of God, there is no place for bench warmers. Everyone needs to step up to the plate and swing. In the service of God, there is no room for caution.
I believe that when we get to heaven, we will be surprised at some of the people whom God is honoring. And if you ask Him why, He will say, “When they were called on, they threw caution to the wind. They were willing to step up to the plate and swing.”
From The Bible
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Romans 12:1-8 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.12.1-8.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
Email-douglas@pavementendsministry.com
Step Up to the Plate and Swing
Courageous Faith and Godly Goals
