Play the Game
A few days ago, I had the opportunity to attend a Banana Ball baseball game. If you haven't seen any of their content, I recommend checking out this new, fun version of baseball. They set a two-hour time limit and have rules that make the game intriguing and exciting. Banana Ball is a new spin on America’s favorite pastime. But with new ideas come challenges.
I knew what I was getting myself into when I attended a Banana Ball game in Starkville, MS, a few days ago, but I did not know the backstory of the founder and the league. They struggled in the beginning. The owner, whom I met a few days ago, has told his story of having to sell his house because the company was losing money. People laughed at the idea of the league, and many still believe it will fail soon. However, the criticism and the drive to pursue their calling keep the owner of Banana Ball and the league going and determined to try new things.
Determine to Keep Going
Baseball and Banana Ball are similar in that they play nine innings. Even though Banana Ball is a show for the fans, I know for a fact it is not rigged, and the teams are playing to win. In both Baseball and Banana Ball, the teams are fighting hard to win a game. They don’t quit. The teams press forward and do what they can to win the game. When the teams are down and losing the game, they become more determined to keep going.
However, there is no guarantee they will win. Even with all the determination and effort, one team will lose the game, and one time will end. Therein lies the difference between the game of baseball and the game of life, especially for followers of Jesus. For Christians, we have good and bad innings, or good and bad seasons.
Everyone Goes Through the Messy
Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
It’s time we learn how to play the game. I am not talking about baseball. Instead, I am talking about the game of life. We must understand that this game gets messy, and it is a challenge. Everyone goes through the messy. We live in a broken and fallen world, and we cannot escape difficult seasons. Sometimes those difficult seasons are caused by our sins, while the sins of others cause others. Let’s not forget that God allows difficult seasons because it is a test of our faith. It’s our time to get in the game and see if we are going to score or quit. Baseball cannot guarantee you will win. But, with God on your side, you know that God works things for HIs good (Romans 8:28).
If you quit in the messy seasons, it’s a guarantee you will not see the winning run you need. If you quit, you will not see the full blessings God has for you. The key is to keep fighting, to know you are in the game and it’s your turn at bat. You may not score when you want to. Nothing works in your timing because you are not in control of time. But if we learn to play the game and trust God’s timing, we will reap benefits far greater than we can imagine.