Foul Ball

Foul Ball

A few weekends ago I was at the new Globe Life Field, the Texas Rangers’ new state-of-the-art baseball facility. The new facility is truly a marvel of innovation and technology; retractable roof, synthetic turf field, and a screen display twice the size of my house!

I couldn’t help but notice that in the center of all these innovations, the game of baseball is still the game of baseball. The rules hadn’t change. As I was looking at the field, I thought about the foul line and pole and just what it represented. A thin line that separates on one side what is fair play, possibly a home run, from the other side which is foul, and counts for nothing but to add to your strike count. Then I thought of the strike zone. This invisible box that represents what is called as a strike or ball.

In sports, especially baseball, there are limits and boundaries that we learn to navigate to stay within the bounds of fair play; the same could be said spiritually. There are limitations and commands that God placed in the clearest language for us to follow, so that there can be no doubt what he desires-as clear as foul lines. In other areas, God gives direction and instruction, in which the borders aren’t marked quite as clearly, similar to the invisible boundaries of the strike zone. God allows us some liberties as he expects us to seek the good and best choices, rather than see how close we can get to danger. God describes how we should navigate and interpret difficult situations we find ourself in:

But solid food belongs to those who are full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14)

God expects us to make determinations because of our experience or “reason of use” as it is put by the Hebrew writer. Inherent in having experience is applicational living. We cannot have this “reason” if we are guilty of merely meditating on Holy scriptures without exercising them in use. It is by constant engagement and maturation that we become more effective at navigating life’s difficulties to find the best paths.

Unlike a sly pitcher, we should not find ourselves wanting to cut the corners off the plate. A pitcher may want a pitch to look as close to a ball as possible until the last moment, cutting into the edge of the strike zone. We ought rather be trying to place our lives in the center of what God desires, certain that we are enjoying his approval and more importantly, the communion of Holy relationship with our God.

I love You,

Jonathan Long