(In light of today's social tensions, a relevant reminder to my earlier post ... )
Have you noticed how angry everyone seems? You can’t read an article, surf social media, or watch news without being splattered by rage and ridicule. Why? Whether it’s the effects of Covid-claustrophobia, political-polarization, or racial-rancor, it is probable we’ve become distracted from the “Main Thing.”
“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” 2 Cor. 11:3
What might the Spirit be saying to us today? Do we spend more time ingesting the “cultural canon” (media, TV, FB) than the true words of Scripture? Is our daily diet high in poly-saturated criticism but low in nutritious Scripture?
When I was a boy, my Dad would take me and my brother Mike to a park, to practice our baseball skills. Hitting, fielding, throwing ... it was partly technique, but primarily focus. And my father’s sage advice on hitting or fielding a ground ball was the same: “Danny, keep your eye on the ball!”
Now I’m older and off the field, seeing Dad’s wisdom in broader terms. In my life, have I taken my eye off the ball? Even for just a moment is dangerous. The ball may skip through my legs — an error — or I’ll strike out chasing a ball in the dirt, on life’s diamond.
I sign my correspondence, “Keep your eye on the Ball — Jesus is the Ball.” I think that’s what 2 Cor. 11:3 means. “The simplicity and purity of keeping your eye on Jesus, the Ball.”
For example, I give a talk on Hebrews 12:1-2 —“... let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus ...” I put Jesus’ name up on the screen and ask the audience to fix their eyes on Jesus. While they gaze at the screen, I walk around the room, trying to distract them. I say things like:
"Your boyfriend just broke up with you,”
“You just failed your chemistry test,”
“Your parents are getting divorced,”
“Your grandfather just passed away.”
Will they keep their eyes on Jesus? I walk to the rear, dropping heavy books and banging on pots and pans. Can they keep their eyes on Jesus?
Needless to say, the illustration is memorable. But what about us? Will we keep our eyes on Jesus, even if no one else does? ... Even when media explode this Fall over an election, race, Covid, and things we cannot predict? If we won’t keep our eyes on Jesus, who will?
We were made for such a time as this. Our challenges are not greater than the One who calls us. In the tempest, will you Keep Your Eyes on Jesus? Read his Word, pray, and watch what He will do.
Keep Your Eye on the Ball. Jesus is the Ball.