God's Coaching #274

God's Coaching #274

A batter standing at home plate has less than half a second to react to a 90-mile-per-hour fastball. Sometimes that can make hitting in the major leagues a little scary. It certainly was a scary scene when Cincinnati Reds pitcher Micah Owings was struck in the head by a fastball during a 2009 game against the Atlanta Braves. Micah was batting with the bases loaded in the 12th inning when the ball hit his helmet.

“The pitch hit right around the hole in my helmet, and I immediately hit the ground,” Micah wrote in his blog after the incident. “There was not a lot of pain because everything went numb right away. I remember looking up at the blue sky and being thankful, while thinking about how terrified my mother must have been. So I gave a thumbs-up.”

Micah’s parents were in the stadium watching the game. Micah suffered a perforated eardrum and needed five stitches. But his injuries could’ve been much worse. Cincinnati won the game because a runner came home when Micah was injured.

What’s the Score?

Micah’s baseball helmet was literally his “helmet of salvation.” Scientists say a baseball traveling 90 miles per hour has one quarter of the kinetic energy of a bullet fired from a nine-millimeter handgun. That’s a powerful impact!

While Micah’s helmet may have saved his life, he knows that God saved his soul when he prayed for Jesus to be his Savior at age 10. Micah faithfully followed Jesus. He encouraged all kids to put on the full armor of God, including the helmet of salvation. Ephesians 6:17 says, “Put on salvation as your helmet.” The Lord makes salvation free for the asking. By putting on the helmet, we’re protected against Satan’s schemes and can have supreme hope for our future in heaven. Plus, we can be confident that God’s helmet will help us fend off the curveballs—and fastballs—that life throws our way.

On the Ball

If you’ve never prayed to Jesus for salvation, you can do that now. Simply say, “Jesus, I know I haven’t always acted perfectly. I believe you took the punishment for my sins on the cross so I could be forgiven. Thank you! I accept your gift of salvation and give my life to you. Amen.”

If you just prayed that prayer, tell a parent or whoever gave you this book. When you strap on the helmet of salvation, you’ll have no doubt about your future with God.

Coach’s Comment

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17