I woke up this morning a little bruised...literally and figuratively. Our men's softball team had their first game last night. I had a 2-4 night at the plate with a couple of RBI! In fact, I hit the ball pretty well, much better than most games before. The exciting thing is my last at bat drove in two runs to tie the game. But I have to admit it was more of a relief than cause for celebration.
You see, in the previous inning, we were winning big, 8-0. Playing 1st base (which is my best position, or so I thought), I committed two BIG errors that not only helped the other team score some runs, but take the lead. One ball was thrown a little high, making me have to leap for it. The second one...well, there was no excuse for it. It was a soft grounder back to the pitcher, who fielded it cleanly and lobbed a soft toss over to me. I was trying so hard to make a great play, I totally botched it, dropping it, and helplessly watched it roll out of reach. All I could do was lay face first on the ground, pounding my fist in the dirt, and HOPE no one saw me. No such luck.
When we returned to the dugout, the rest of the team did what they were supposed to do. In the midst of their disappointment, they told me to shake it off and make the play next time. They reminded me that it happens to men who get played gobs of money to play the position. But all I could think about was the literally HUNDREDS of similar plays I've made before and those two that got away. I was disgusted and embarrassed. I was wearing it on my face so much that our coach came up to me saying I needed to clear my head a bit, and that someone else would be manning 1st for the rest of the game...that is if there was a rest of the game. We were now down by a couple of runs at our last at bat.
Fortunately, when I came to the plate with a chance to tie the game, I came through! I hit the ball about as hard as I have--a line drive in the hole between first and second base. Runners on 2nd and 3rd scored on the play. As I stood on first base taking it all in, I heard one of the team leaders holler out from the dugout, "Way to redeem yourself, Mark!"
We went on to win the game, in large part because I came through, even after playing terrible defense. But such is life, I suppose. As I woke up (still reeling over making the errors) my wrist ached from hitting the ground so furiously in my angst. The fact still remains, we won the game, and I played a big part in it. I have to admit, I'm still crying over the milk I spilt.
In life, we mess up all the time...it's called sin. If left to our own devices, we'd mess things up so royally all we could do would be lay on the ground, pound it in humiliation, and HOPE that no one sees us. But you know what, we're aren't left to our own devices. In Jesus, we are more than game winners; we are heirs, brothers to the living God. Despite our failings and shortcoming, in Christ, we are still part of the team, given every opportunity to stand at the plate and deliver in the clutch. That is if we allow Jesus' eternal strength to become our own.
Are you banged up this morning? Is your body worn and bruised? Is your heart tattered and torn? Take Jesus and allow His strength to become your strength. Know that with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances, you can STAND & DELIVER!
You see, in the previous inning, we were winning big, 8-0. Playing 1st base (which is my best position, or so I thought), I committed two BIG errors that not only helped the other team score some runs, but take the lead. One ball was thrown a little high, making me have to leap for it. The second one...well, there was no excuse for it. It was a soft grounder back to the pitcher, who fielded it cleanly and lobbed a soft toss over to me. I was trying so hard to make a great play, I totally botched it, dropping it, and helplessly watched it roll out of reach. All I could do was lay face first on the ground, pounding my fist in the dirt, and HOPE no one saw me. No such luck.
When we returned to the dugout, the rest of the team did what they were supposed to do. In the midst of their disappointment, they told me to shake it off and make the play next time. They reminded me that it happens to men who get played gobs of money to play the position. But all I could think about was the literally HUNDREDS of similar plays I've made before and those two that got away. I was disgusted and embarrassed. I was wearing it on my face so much that our coach came up to me saying I needed to clear my head a bit, and that someone else would be manning 1st for the rest of the game...that is if there was a rest of the game. We were now down by a couple of runs at our last at bat.
Fortunately, when I came to the plate with a chance to tie the game, I came through! I hit the ball about as hard as I have--a line drive in the hole between first and second base. Runners on 2nd and 3rd scored on the play. As I stood on first base taking it all in, I heard one of the team leaders holler out from the dugout, "Way to redeem yourself, Mark!"
We went on to win the game, in large part because I came through, even after playing terrible defense. But such is life, I suppose. As I woke up (still reeling over making the errors) my wrist ached from hitting the ground so furiously in my angst. The fact still remains, we won the game, and I played a big part in it. I have to admit, I'm still crying over the milk I spilt.
In life, we mess up all the time...it's called sin. If left to our own devices, we'd mess things up so royally all we could do would be lay on the ground, pound it in humiliation, and HOPE that no one sees us. But you know what, we're aren't left to our own devices. In Jesus, we are more than game winners; we are heirs, brothers to the living God. Despite our failings and shortcoming, in Christ, we are still part of the team, given every opportunity to stand at the plate and deliver in the clutch. That is if we allow Jesus' eternal strength to become our own.
Are you banged up this morning? Is your body worn and bruised? Is your heart tattered and torn? Take Jesus and allow His strength to become your strength. Know that with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances, you can STAND & DELIVER!
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