The Great American Pass Time

“Take me out to the ball game” can be heard around the country once again. Some may say it’s boring, but I like it. I enjoy the sounds of baseball. Bats hitting balls. Balls being caught in baseball gloves. The voice of umpires as they make calls. I don’t know, I just like it.

I’ve been a baseball fan, off and on, throughout my life. I recall watching the Cincinnati Reds with my Dad as a young teenager. I really enjoyed this activity with him. It was just one of many things I loved doing with my Dad.

I remember playing baseball in our back field with neighborhood friends as a young girl and teenager. Getting hit by a line drive baseball was not so fun, but still, it was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

More recently, I went to a Spring Training Orioles baseball game with my dad, my son, and my nephew. We sat in the first row, just beside first base. It was awesome! We tried to watch for stray balls, but we missed one. My son, Philip, was hit in the stomach. It didn’t hurt him and he was able to keep the baseball, so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

My husband loves baseball. He comes from a Baseball Hall of Fame family (on both sides). So naturally, his office is covered with baseball memorabilia and we enjoy watching baseball together. We are anxious for the season to begin.

I’m sure you’re wondering how I’m going to bring this around to God. I could talk about the first mention of baseball in the Bible…you know “In the big inning…” But, no, that’s not where I’m heading.

I find some wisdom in keeping our eyes open. Watching out for what is coming our way. And God talks a lot about this in His Word. Let me point out a few.

• Matthew 6:22 tells us that “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.”
• Psalm 119:18 says, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”
• And in Psalm 119:37 he says, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.”
• “But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.” (Psalm 141:8)
• John quotes Jesus in John 4:35. “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
• Ephesians 4:18 says, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”
• “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12)

These are just a few verses that teach us to keep our eyes open. To be aware of what’s going on around us and more importantly, what we are to be looking toward. Don’t get caught with your eyes shut. Don’t be looking the wrong direction.

If you are a baseball fan, you are as excited as I am that baseball is in full swing. If you’re not a baseball fan, I apologize for spending a whole day talking about it. Whatever the case, I pray that you will watch out for the stray balls of life and that God’s Word will give you insight on how to keep watch.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna