Greg Kiel
04/04/16
Baseball and now softball have been a part of most of my life. I was introduced to a bat and ball at an early age, and after my playing days were over, I began coaching my own children and numerous other youth baseball and softball players passing along whatever knowledge I had gleaned from my experiences and the tutelage of others. The game has been referred to as the “game of life”, and just like in life, I have seen many participants (and even those charged with leading others) tempted to focus all too much on one another's failures or shortcomings.
The sport inherently results in what some might perceive as failure more times than not. Some will use obtaining a college scholarship or reaching the professional level as their measure of success, but since only a very small percentage of youth leagues ever even play collegiately, you would then conclude that most are failures. And even those who reach the highest professional acclaim fail more than they succeed on the field. Hall of Famer Babe Ruth is known for his propensity to hit home runs, but what you may not know is that during his career he was even more prone to strikeouts, having twice as many strikeouts as home runs. The very best hitters at the highest levels of competition will fail to get a hit or even get on base the great majority of time. But what makes the best hitters different, is their ability to prevent failure in a previous at bat from affecting the next one.
Just like in the real game of life, there is much danger to the Christian to focus all too much on our failures or shortcomings. We sometimes look around at the lives of other Christians and become discouraged because they seem to have the perfect lives. We all have our own weaknesses, temptations and obstacles that we must learn to overcome. By living in a sinful world it’s inevitable that there will be much disappointment and failure. However, it’s absolutely Biblical for us to forget the past and press on with the future. Paul said, "Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). If we are not able to forget the past, we will become discouraged and less willing to further our purpose of life and our part in the great commission.
Our Lord’s closest companions were his apostles. These men gave themselves up to following and serving Jesus Christ. But even though we might consider them as spiritual Hall of Famers, they were real people with real struggles. They too were imperfect. Peter at his lowest point denied that he knew Jesus and abandoned Him. Judas sold out the Savior for a few pieces of silver. But the way each responded to this low point in their lives is instructive. Peter grew from this experience and become one of the great leaders of the early church. The last words recorded by Peter emphasized the need for believers' growth. "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18). So, in order to grow as instructed by Peter, we must not dwell on the past, but rather look to the next opportunity for growth.
As we participate in the game of life, we will all make our share of errors. We will all hit our share of foul balls. We will all strikeout. Time and time and time again we will try and fail in life. Those who learn from failure, who dare to walk back up to the plate, who keep swinging despite overwhelming odds are the ones who will succeed. "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9). As baseball legend Yogi Berra was known for saying, "the game ain't over 'til it's over." Every challenge in this life is an opportunity for growth and reward. The reward of a faithful life is heaven (I Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 6:10-12) and the real Measure of Success will be when our life is over that through the completed work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we make it safely Home and hear him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"
(Greg is an elder for the church of Christ on Hughes Road at Gooch Lane)