“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one received the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” 1st Corinthians 9:24

Years ago when my children were young, I was president of the local Little League which handled the little league teams, minor league and tee ball. Tee ball was for the 5 & 6 years-olds who were not old enough to play in the other leagues and they played by hitting the ball off of a tee.

My oldest daughter Natalie was six years old and wanted to please her dad by applying to play on a tee ball team. On the final practice a few minutes before her first game they were throwing the ball back and forth. She held out her glove and the ball bounced up and hit her in the mouth causing a bloody lip. Immediately, she was ready to quit the team. Since she had gone through all of the practices, I encouraged her to remain on the team.

The coach then placed her in left field. For those who may not be familiar with the left fielder position in children and youth baseball, it is the location you place the kids that are not very good. I know because I played left field in Little League. It is also a place where few balls are hit meaning less activity and the possibility of the player causing many costly mistakes. While in left field, she watched the birds fly overhead, picked the daisies and paid no attention to the game until occasionally when a ball was hit beyond the infield in her direction. Then everyone would yell, “Natalie, get the ball and throw it in!”

Modern day Christianity is much like that. A person is in for the easy practices, but when something happens and hits them in the mouth, they are out. Or they stay in left field where there is little action and not much is expected of them.

But, the Bible teaches us that God did not save us to be passively engaged, but to be actively engaged. Paul explained it one way as a race that all (everyone) was expected to run. Are you all in and are you persevering to stay in the game?

Bro. Larry