Bottom of the Ninth #9 - Doing the Right Thing
by Landon Troka
It is common in baseball to find yourself in high pressure situations. Imagine a pitcher, in a jam, late in a game, having to make the pitch or cost the team a game. The same happens at the plate. Imagine a runner in scoring position, two outs, down by one, late in the game. Imagine a hitter who has to step up and deliver a hit for the team. Some players love to be in this situation. The pressure and adrenaline are what make the game special. We see that rush of success in this video of a kid hitting a walk off home run in the Little League World Series final. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--3_vvUMcxQ
When we face tough situations in our lives outside of baseball, the choice of what is right and wrong is not always as clear as hit = right and out = wrong. Many times, it is a choice of whether to conform to what the world is doing, or what we as examples and reflections of Christ should be doing. As it says in this often referenced verse:
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
Christians are called to be transformed from people of this world into the reflections of God. When we are faced with fun choices, especially choosing to do things that bring immediate pleasure, it is not always easy to focus upon our “heavenly prize” (Philippians 3:14). When faced with tough choices, we must remember to chase the heavenly prize, no matter how enticing the earthly one is. Whether it is doing the right things with your free time, treating others with respect, or any number of ways, we are called to be greater than the fallen world we live in. On the baseball diamond, we call upon that type of focus to come through for the team.
Remember what is said in John 10:10, “Have life and life to the fullest.” Like the joy of finding success on the field, we can find the same joy in doing the right things for God. In closing, it is essential to do the right things to honor God, and not those that bring us earthly pleasure.