Home Run Series: Who’s On First?

This week, get ready! Life is standing on the pitcher’s mound waiting to throw the ball, and it’s time to make a play that leads toward first base. First base represents our inner self and the work we need to do to get ourselves in line with God’s will for our lives.

Proverbs 16:2 states:

People may be pure in their own eye, but the Lord examines their motives. NLT

I know for me; on any given day, I have to fight what I think is right for me versus what God says is right for me. That inner struggle builds character. Will I do what needs to be done to stay close to God or will I do what I feel like instead?

The biggest pressure in a baseball game is in the bottom of the ninth inning, when the bases are loaded and there are two outs. Scoring a run can be the difference between winning and losing the game. Does life feel that way most days? Are your bases loaded? Perhaps you have a relationship or marriage on first, kids on second, and your job on third. Or maybe your bases are loaded a little different, but no matter how life stacks up for you–God’s will must be in it, in order for you to have the character you need to be a top scorer. When the pressure is on, whatever is inside you will come out! You can count on it.

When that moment comes, will it be self-control, grace, mercy, and compassion that you display or will it be arrogance, selfishness, or jealousy?

God wants to work on us from the inside out, but we have to be willing to stand in the moment. Are we willing to let Him make the call on which play will be next? Are we willing to swing the bat with all that is within us for His honor and glory? Or will we simply try to bunt the ball on our own and see how far we get?

God doesn’t promise this character- building stuff will be easy. Sometimes we will strike out, but if we let God work in us and through us, we will soon be on our way around first base and going to second.

However, our biggest obstacle to first base is pride:

Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Romans 12:3 NLT

So, humble yourself to the ultimate coach, and let Him steer you to first base and beyond! Let’s play ball!

Blessings!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

 

Leave a Comment

Scroll to Top