Is Your Faith Game Ready?

This last week marked the end of our children’s Little League baseball and softball seasons. As a parent I was certainly glad, but in the midst of the two plus month ordeal, the question constantly arose, “who has a game and/or practice?” Beth, my wife, and I have been the Faulk Taxi Service for three kids and some of their teammates. It was a time of daily indulgence in getting children to and from at the appointed hour. While I found it a bit of a hassle at times, I also found it to be extremely enjoyable. I realize as well that this is simply a stage of parenthood. My kids will not forever need me or even want me to cart them around. Even if they do not continue to play ball, I should look at this as a time of kids being kids and committing themselves to being at practices and games.
Practice! That’s what it takes to put the bat on the ball. Practice! That’s what it takes to throw the ball well and accurately. Practice! That’s what it takes to do just about anything else well, even when it comes to Christianity. It’s my opinion that Christianity is a lot like playing baseball. When it comes to faith and discipleship, sometimes we strikeout… sometimes we knock it out of the park. Jesus refers to some who have struck out like the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17) who could not part with his money and possessions to follow Christ and enter into the Kingdom. Others like Joseph of Arimathea (Luke 23:50) hit a homer when he risked money and status in asking for Jesus’ body and had it placed in the tomb. In her book, Practicing Our Faith, Dorothy Bass states that many people simply yearn for a better life and never take the necessary steps to make that happen. Someone goes to church a few times and simply thinks that something either miraculous or magical will occur and life will be changed for the better. She says it (Christianity or discipleship) happens when we practice, beginning with small steps, doing what God wants us to do. It may simply start small and grow. One can practice kindness. One can practice attending church regularly. One can practice stewardship and giving. One can practice repentance. One can practice prayer. One can practice any number of things which will lead them to know God better. Such practices lead to individual growth as well community growth when one knows that others are living out their lives in a similar fashion. Yes, there will be days filled with good productive practice and other days where errors and frustration abound. Even so, we must keep practicing. Maybe that’s what I really want my kids to know about life as I take them back and forth to practice. Success is the result of preparation (practice) meeting with opportunity. God can use each of us in our own ministries. The game of life has already begun! So practice and be ready so that you can do your best for Christ.