March 25, 2012
Recently I watched my grandson play baseball. This was one of the first games of the season
and his coaches had chosen to play an older team for a scrimmage. These boys were taller, older and much more
experienced at playing baseball. They
were very good at working together and throwing and catching the ball when
needed. They could hit the ball very
well and actually where they intended it to go.
One boy was very good at bunting too.
They were also very aggressive in stealing base, which netted them
several runs because the younger team made bad throws and were not as quick
reacting. When it was all said and done,
the other team won 12 to 1. I talked to my
grandson after the game and pointed out all the things that the other team did
and how they could learn from them. When
I asked him what he learned from that game he said “Don’t play with older
kids!” A somewhat wise remark but it got
me to thinking about how we sometimes avoid things in life because they are too
hard.
Life is like this. We
can sit on the sidelines and observe what to do and what not to do. We can get in the game or sit and watch it
from the stand. I always used to tell my
daughters that you don’t always have to experience things for yourself. You can watch others make stupid mistakes and
then just not do what they do. You can
observe how others live and pick up pointers in what is good and what is
not. And you can also sit on the
sidelines and not participate in life at all thinking you will make
mistakes. Sometimes life involves
risks. Most are not life threatening or
result in disaster. Some things are
actually good to experience. Most are
things we can experience and make a difference in our life or the lives of
others. And some things will teach us
much needed life lessons.
Are you afraid to get in the game for fear of failing or
making mistakes? Do you prefer to sit by
while life passes you by? Or are you
willing to get in the game of life and live even though it does sometimes take
risks on your part? Often times what we
fear is the unknown. Do we lay it all on
the line and hope it doesn’t turn out bad?
Or do we just go for it praying for the best? Or do we play it safe and just avoid it
altogether?
What are some risky things in the Christian life for
you? Is it telling others about
Jesus? Are you afraid you are going to
fail because you don’t know enough scripture or just the right words to
say? Are you afraid to commit to a
ministry because you feel inadequate?
Are you afraid to play in the big league because others know more than
you? You know, God doesn’t call the
qualified and the experienced. He calls
the willing. When we step out in faith
and do things for Him He will bless it and He will be with us through it.
God tells us to have faith in Him. He will not give us more than we can handle. “I
can do all things through Him who give me strength.” Philippians 4:13 The power we receive in union with Christ is
sufficient to do His will and to face the challenges that arise from our
commitment to doing it. So don’t be
timid, God is your strength. Rely on Him
and have faith. And get into the game!
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