Bottom of the Ninth #78 - Loving the Game
Bottom of the 9th - Loving the Game
by Brian Bonn
Do you have the same joy as the guys in the photos of above? Do you feel free to play the game with amazing passion? Do you find yourself focusing more on failure or more on finding new ways to enjoy the game that is in front of you?The challenge in loving the game is not easy, but I truly believe that Christ desires us to be faithful in loving the game that we play. After all, it is just a game. When opening the Bible, the scripture 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 was immediately brought to my attention. Here's what it says:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
So do you still love the game that you have loved all your life or has it become a burden in your life? Are you patient with the game of baseball? Just like the love that God has for us, He is patient everyday with us. Every mistake we make, He is right by our side making sure that we still know He loves us unconditionally. Are we as forgiving to ourselves when we play the game?
It's critical that we not base our very existence on a game. Our existence doesn't depend on how well we swing the bat or if we make varsity, it depends on our relationship that we have with our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This next part is probably the hardest for the current high school generation to understand. To dishonor others and to be self-seeking seems nearly impossible because of the goals that they have set before themselves. What if our goals were more Godly and less worldly?
As Christians, we need to focus on things we do well (being kind, honoring others, and being less self-seeking), and do less of being envious, boastful, or proud. With that said, we have to arrive to place where results are not the driving force, but growth is. Ultimately, that is what God wants for us, correct? To be more like him. Trying to understand God is perfect can be a daunting task (especially if you think you can be like that as well), but we have to look at it from a growth standpoint. Can you grow closer to him or be a little bit more like him weekly? How about daily? Can we fill our gaps with knowledge (which is from God) so that we can be more like Him?