Every batter goes to the plate thinking he will get a hit, every player
goes to the foul shot line thinking he will make it. Every running back has
seen the play on the board and many times in practice and knows if he breaks
free he can go all the way. Even though the chances, the averages are against
them, without an “I can do it” attitude,” they are doomed to fail. I used to be
a pretty fair ball player, notice I didn’t say athlete, remembering the quote of
John Kruk, who when recognized getting off a plane, a woman confronted him,
“you’re an athlete, aren’t you?” Smiling back, John replied, “no mam, I’m a
ballplayer.” Lest we get confused, I played ball. Demoted by John’s
confession. But I played senior league baseball, was the catcher, got to play a
lot, but was a lousy hitter. I had one tragic fault I kept to myself, I was
afraid of being hit by a pitch. Too much testosterone in teen boys trying to
prove themselves, so I was shy, afraid of being hit. Never admitted until
now...
But my friend Tim Dixon was a great pitcher, had a great fastball, and
struck out a lot of guys because of it. But he had great control, and when
facing him, I had no fear. He was trying to strike me out, and intimidate me
that way, so I went up, knowing the pitches would be in the strike zone, and was
able to hit him. Much to the surprise of my team mates, coach ,and even Tim.
Who once when we fought over the same girl and she picked me, claimed “you’re
better looking, but how could she still pick you over me?” Now I had done it
to him again....one of the best and I had done well against him, I was a star at
least in my own mind until next week. Then it was back to just being a
ballplayer...
Jesus told his disciples “let not your heart be troubled,” the key word
being let. A decision we make to often, cancelling plans or changing routes
because of fear of bad weather. Living life in an “I could never do that world
of failure,” and never using the talents God gave you, but making excuses for
everything, ready to give up before you even get up to bat. Winners don’t, look
at the Tom Brady comeback in the Super Bowl, Game 6 in the 1986 World Series,
and the infamous “Dewey Wins” headline when Truman beat him in the election.
But being human, we know at any given time we can give up, so Jesus warned his
disciples. Because they were scared, they could be executed with him, they were
upset seeing the danger, and even though had seen the miracles, none of that
mattered now. Just like us, we know the word, we tell others, then faced with
danger ourselves, we panic. Here Jesus tells them “don’t panic in a panic
situation,I am with you always,” his spirit never leaving them. They could die
with him, but could not bear to live without him, and he had warned them his
time had come, and he would be leaving them. They forgot the part about him
leaving his spirit, as we all do today. They would rather face death with him
than life without him, how about you? “Do not let,” meant the disciples had a
choice of what to do about it. They could trust Jesus, and in doing so trust
God, or they could fall apart inside, and turn into a quivering mass of
humanity. But God was and still is in control, with great plans for them, and
he took them through it, just like he does today. “Trust in me,” Jesus says,
and that is the secret. Trust God. And live.
Funny he gave the advice he did, simple, trust him. No great programs or
procedures for the moment, no special prayer, no offering was taken, and no
meetings held of what to do. Just trust, unlike the church world of today. A
question to ask your pastor is “if you lost all your financing today, how would
that affect your ministry?” With so many mega churches depending on the flock
to give, you would see where their trust lies, Jesus sent the disciples out with
only pocket change. No letter of credit, no Mastercard, he was the Master, what
about you? So “do not let, yet trust God.” Who has all the wisdom, the power,
and backed by his spirit. The one who drew you to Jesus, can perfect you until
the day you enter heaven. Trust, our money says it, do you?
Life can be as easy as hitting a fastball, or as easy as bailing out being
afraid of being hit. I stood in there and hit, which amazed even me, I still
don’t want to get hit by a baseball, or anything else. But God’s ways to teach
come in everyday events, what has he shown you before? What will he show you
today? Trusting your heart, which is weak, or your God, who is strong? In your
decision we can see who your God really is. So ask yourself the same question
you will of your pastor, what procedures, processes, programs, and policies
drive your relationship with Christ? Religion is out there to strike terror
into your life, Jesus came to save us from it. How do you face the fastballs?
Can you hit the curve? A batter with a .250 average is only successful one of
four times, can you afford to live like that? We aren’t all athletes, but we
are are all players. Play the game to win, whether at the plate or in the
heart, trusting Jesus is always best. If you never remember any other secret,
never forget the words of Jesus, “do not let,” the choice is still ours. In God
we what?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthw25biker.blogspot.com