Our summer has been jam packed so far with quite
a few activities. Mostly baseball. I know it has for many families. We only
have two boys playing. If you have more than that, you’re probably more ready
for July to get here than we are.
Not that I don’t enjoy the game. I do. And
I love seeing my boys having fun, making friends and learning to play ball. I
don’t even mind sitting in a lawn chair swatting gnats for a couple hours in
the evening watching them play. It’s a full schedule when they’re each playing
two or more games a week, but it’s all good.
Let me send a special shout out to the
coaches of the boys of summer (and to the girls’ softball coaches, too). Bill
Peterson and B.J. Sutton are coaching Tyler’s team, who, much to Bill’s
disappointment are not called the Razorbacks. Jason Dick, Loren Porter and Wes
Boensel are coaching Toby’s team, the Comets. Thank you, guys, for investing in
these young men and giving your time to making this a good season.
In a recent Bombers game on the road against
a villainous foe, the bad guys seized a sizeable lead against our team. The attitude
in the visitor’s dugout turned somber. Heads hung down, shoulders slumped and
comments such as, “We’re gonna lose” were voiced out loud. The boys didn’t see
any way they could win. The game wasn’t over, but they sensed the doom of
defeat.
In this world we often find ourselves in
similar seemingly hopeless situations. The bills pile up and there’s not a dime
left in the piggy bank. Your husband says he doesn’t love you anymore and wants
out of the marriage. Your doctor calls with the test results and says he needs
to see you right away. The child you raised to honor and respect authority has
been arrested, again, and you’ve already done all you can do to help.
Welcome to the world. Troubles, trials and
tribulations abound. Discouragements, frustrations and disappointments knock
you down. Pain, suffering and sorrow grip you with fear and anguish. Whoever
said life was a bed of roses?
Jesus certainly never did. In fact, what He
did say is this: “In this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). No
promise of perfect weather, picnics in the park, or trouble-free living. He
never said if you just had enough faith that your car would start every
morning, that your job would always be safe or that your children would be free
from disease. He never said that you’d have enough money to afford college, that
everybody would like you or that you’d be living out the American Dream.
But here’s the deal. Jesus says in the very
next breath, “But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Yes, you’re going to
face hardship, but Jesus has already won the victory. You don’t have to live in
defeat despite the overwhelming odds against you. The enemies of fear and doubt
and sorrow may have you surrounded, you’ve exhausted all your resources and
don’t know where to turn, but the game’s not over.
Dear friend, hear Jesus calling your name
saying, “Turn to Me! My power and strength are so much greater than anything
you’ll face in this world. My mercy and grace will be more than enough to help
you in your weakness. My steadfast love will never disappoint, never put you to
shame and never fail. Turn to Me, child. Turn to Me!”
The Bombers may have lost their baseball
game. But just when the foe we face in this world seems to gain a huge lead, our
ultimate Clean-up Hitter steps into the batter’s box, and victory already belongs
to Jesus. I’m glad I’m on His team! Are you?
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