Baseball Ready Heading to The Show

Imagine a crisp summer night in a baseball stadium filling with excitement. Kids waiting with bated breath, glove in hand, hoping there will be the single glove among many to catch the infamous home run. Pubescent teens are buzzing with tinseled smiles that sparkle in the fluorescent glow. In a parade of attempted uniqueness, they display their style of put-together outfits while awaiting peer approval. They sneak away from the parental hover, determined to set themselves apart with a swagger all their own. They set out to explore with a sauntering walk around the magnificent ballpark. The observing parents take in this parade as their young are on the cusp of independence. The mommies and daddies realize the separation ahead of them; in their soon to be young adulthood.

Parents are taking in the ambiance scenario. They take comfort in knowing they can be safe, allowing this bit of freedom, as they know their teens will take practice flights from the nest soon. The younger ones are frolicking about, eyes wide open with curiosity, scanning the bright lights and listening to the new noises they are experiencing. Their innocence is apparent as they giggle and make best friends with anyone near their size. There is so much stimulation they’re amused and somewhat confined to a smaller area as they look around. Meanwhile, young adults and seasoned couples are enjoying old traditions.

The luminous ballpark grants couples that date night feel while keeping a watchful eye on the kiddos. Everything about the park eludes the stresses of life and places a protective dome over the attendee's day-to-day hassles. Within the blissful hours that followed, they enter a dream-like state, and all is well. They create new memories of ballpark cuisine, family laughter, rooting for the home team, and fun during the game. During the customary baseball game, one is mindful of the older couples and workers that have modeled the respect for blessing our flag. The connection is essential when enjoying a good ole hot dog or pop and the fellowship of sharing time.

Summer and baseball at Coca-Cola Park, that’s right, the home of the triple AAA feed team for the Philadelphia Phillies, none other than the IRON PIGS. The small towns surrounding the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania area, could not be prouder to share a chilly summer night with their beloved team. The win is always present, but just being a part of the community experience is one that leaves you believing you were part of something “BIG” together.

One can’t help but be excited as you walk around a big stadium hand in hand with a long-time love. At first, you may be heartbroken at the massive amounts of people pushing in line to get their share of beer before the first pitch. The sloppy aggressiveness is notable in some areas. I suppose you could say they show signs of having been there a while, and their patience is running a little thin. As you witnessed this debacle, a sad feeling could try to take hold, but you won’t let it. You search for the positive and hear stadium speakers playing a good old Christian song, giving you hope. You can sing along loud and proud, filling your heart with the spirit of the game and returning your thoughts to the wholesome family atmosphere.

This writing is not about the perils of alcohol. Instead, it speaks to the moment of experience in a particular scene. We aren't usually the ones that handle judging or condemning anyone. It’s not the sampling of a beverage that was an issue, but the lack of control with its use. Some partaking of the libations had little understanding of how they were clouding their experience, covering it up in some small way.

The sadness comes when observing the many who feel it necessary to overindulge and make their night more of a nightmare than the dream it could’ve been. Now not to preach on the soapbox of thou shall not. The hope is all can enjoy themselves instead of arguing because of a few too many drinks.

These sad scenes make you want to fill them with the joy of the Holy Spirit. To have them know God is their supplier and comforter and that they can do all things with Him, even settle a silly dispute. It gives way to emotions of wanting them to get home and go to sleep before they make their relaxing night out, which they would regret.

Many ask why church and why do you go?

Why do you believe in God when bad things happen to you and many others?

Why do you talk to God and all that?

One wish is to gain eloquence in answering all the questions, but I don’t have all the answers, so I’ll say this. I know our God is incredible. I trust and go to Him; when I do, I can do everything through Him as my coach. The closer I get to Him, the more attacks I can expect, and this is my opportunity to show the armor He gives protecting me in all circumstances. Hence the reason I am to love as I am loved.

A church is a place to come and hear the word of God. God does not turn away from those who seek Him, and I should always find Him first.

We will struggle, but His coaching is solid, and firm, and He will hold me up. I know I will not judge others, for His grace only sanctifies me, and it is imperative not to be self-righteous and to show the beauty God gives me.

I would tell them that when you find a Christian that is so in love with God, they only want to share Him and learn more about how you can share Him with others. This faithful servant is the right place to spend some of your time.

Make sure you don’t get stuck in your boxes or stadiums, only using them to train to play fair ball on all fields. A Baseball game can happen anywhere there is a field; God’s team plays everywhere, seeking new players. After playing, then you bring others to learn from His playbook. There is only one playbook, no matter which stadium you play in. Once we leave our stadiums, it is sometimes hard to see whose team we’re on.

You can see people bickering or arguing on the way to their cars without indulging in a little of the so-called happy juice. Show a bit of grace to others, for there but by the grace of God. Meaning, be slow to judge? You never know when you may be accountable for the lack of beauty you did not show others. We are all works in progress.

Think about your church as a place to bring people where we put a protective covering on them for a few hours. Allow them to experience a love so unconditional that they can learn and grow in Him. Worry not about their faults, for your own will bite you in the butt soon enough. Remember, the attacking team is busy working on what He is building. The attacker wants the team you’re on to fight amongst one another. He wishes for you not to show grace, forgive, and start fresh from God’s playbook each day. He desires to shut you down and steal your bases. The enemy wants division amongst your leagues rather than teamwork. This sneaky ploy creates shame and blame, messing up your focus and losing the heart of your team.

Help to build His team by helping others feel part of the community and repeatedly provide a connection they want throughout their day. We should be able to have all units in His House and share in the knowledge of His coaching.

Our games should sell out because we desire to be together with the team. We need to build up others to join the team of Christ. It’s not about the uniform you’re wearing or the stadium you’re in; it’s about sharing Him. Allow people to come and get batting practice before you expect them to hit a home run. The coach is the most important in this game, and it’s all about Him. Help them know that hanging out with God is way bigger than any ball game they’ve ever experienced. It is the “Best game ever,” let them know He wants them on His team.

Remember, He wants us all to come from our minor leagues and come to the show one day. Stop wasting yourself with the tearing down of one another as Christians and build a team worthy of a World Series, with lots of followers, His team.

So let us play and pray. God will take care of the rest ~ See You At The Show, Peace!