God's Coaching #131

God's Coaching #131

One of the greatest thrills in baseball is clobbering a grand slam. The crack of the bat. Watching the ball go over the fence. Starting the home-run trot. Being greeted at home plate by teammates as four runs get posted on the scoreboard. Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Lastings Milledge felt the thrill of hitting his first career grand slam in May 2010, but his ecstasy quickly turned to agony.

Lastings had just blasted a 1-2 pitch deep into left field. Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano just turned around and watched the line drive fly over his head. “The ball is back,” shouted the TV announcer. “It is gone!” Lastings rounded first base in a home-run trot as fireworks went off in PNC Park. Pirate fans cheered like crazy.

“Not so fast,” said the Cubs. Alfonso picked up the ball after it hit high off the wall and threw it back to the infield. As Lastings rounded second base, the Cubs tagged him out. What happened? Even though the stadium started celebrating a homer, the umpires never signaled a home run. The ball had bounced high off the wall but apparently not on top of it, so it wasn’t a home run. Lastings was totally confused, but he hadn’t paid attention. He was out.

What’s the Score?

It’s easy to get caught unexpectedly by temptation or evil. Lots of times it can feel like everybody is cheering for us to do what’s wrong. Hebrews 2:1 says, “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (NIV).

Lastings got caught up hearing the fans cheer and watching fireworks explode in the sky. But his attention should’ve been on the umpires, because it’s their opinion that matters. In our own lives, we have to listen to the right voices to make sure we follow the truth. We have to look to God and seek him with all our strength, because it’s only his opinion that matters. If we don’t pay attention, we’ll drift away with the misguided crowd and be tagged out without even realizing what’s happening. Don’t get taken by surprise. Pay attention to God and his commands.

On the Ball

Pay attention, and listen to the right voices. Spend some time listening and singing along with your favorite praise songs. Focus on God by worshiping him with all your heart.

Coach’s Comment

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)