God's Coaching #249

God's Coaching #249

Imagine going to school for seven straight years without taking a sick day. Yikes! Not exactly your idea of fun, right? But that’s the equivalent of what Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. did during his career. From May 1982 to September 1998, Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive games, breaking what was once considered one of Major League Baseball’s untouchable records—the 2,130 consecutive games played by New York Yankees Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig, who retired in 1939. (Divide 2,632 by 365—the number of days in a year—and it equals roughly seven years!)

As surely as a baseball is round, Cal laced up his spikes and took the field every day for 16 straight seasons, often playing through nagging pain and injuries. For his toughness, faithfulness, and dependability, he earned the nickname “Iron Man.” When Cal finally broke Gehrig’s record on September 6, 1995, the Orioles honored him in a memorable way at Camden Yards. At the end of the fifth inning, when it became official, the game was paused for more than 20 minutes as banners reading “2,131” were unfurled on the iconic warehouse behind the outfield bleachers. Cal enjoyed the moment by taking a victory lap around the stadium, high-fiving fans along the way.

What’s the Score?

No matter how he felt, Cal did his job every day in a faithful, dependable manner. His manager and teammates could always count on him. And he eventually got rewarded with an unforgettable night and a Hall of Fame statue in Cooperstown, New York.

Christians are supposed to be like that too. There are no days off in the Christian life. God calls his children to a lifetime of obedience marked by serving him and loving others, no matter how we feel. At the end of our lives, if we have been faithful to do what God has asked of us, we will receive a rich reward. He will bring us into heaven and shower us with unimaginable blessings!

On the Ball

Think of one thing you can do each day this week to faithfully serve God and others. Write down your ideas:

• Monday:

• Tuesday:

• Wednesday:

• Thursday:

• Friday:

• Saturday:

• Sunday:

Coach’s Comment

The master was full of praise. “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” Matthew 25:21