Obedience
Never try to explain God until you've obeyed him. The only part of God we understand is the part we have obeyed.
-- Oswald Chambers
Studying Christ’s commandments is like reading an amazing book on baseball rules and history. The stories of baseball greats inspire, the rules and customs educate and the intellectual love for the game moves to a new level. You are armed with knowledge to take with you onto the field. It’s all in your head and it plays out beautifully. (The Holy Spirit plays a vital role not accounted for in this analogy – the role of using the Word to convict, reveal, encourage and teach.)
If someone asks you about the game – you can talk about Babe Ruth, the infield fly rule and how the Yankees are doing this season. You know your stats.
Living out Christ’s commandments is like playing third base every moment of every day for the rest of your life. You feel the soft infield grass under your feet, the smell of the leather, the crack of the bat. Unforced errors followed by double plays. Dirt and mud and dust. You wear the uniform, sport the equipment and stand ready to play your role on the team. You learn to play only for your Coach and for the good of the team. Each team member has its function – you depend on all of them and they depend on you.
Your understanding of baseball now lifts off the pages of the rulebook and internalizes itself in your heart. You come to love the game, love the Coach, love your team – despite the bruises, the hot sun, errors, bumps, exhaustion and pain. You sacrifice your freedom for the long practices and strained muscles; in trade for the dugout conversations, the cheering of the angelic crowd and the support of your teammates. Your Coach teaches you to make constant improvement and you obey His every word. In turn, He begins to trust you as a steady, consistent team player. Years of experience have sprouted wisdom.
Now, if someone asks you about the game – it’s not the history or the rules you mention. It's not your batting average or winning record. It’s the love you have for the Coach, for your teammates, for the dirt, the sweat and the smell of leather. The rules and history help guide, encourage and inspire you to be a better teammate – but now you understand the spirit of the game, the love… and you can’t wait for the big game.
-- Oswald Chambers
Studying Christ’s commandments is like reading an amazing book on baseball rules and history. The stories of baseball greats inspire, the rules and customs educate and the intellectual love for the game moves to a new level. You are armed with knowledge to take with you onto the field. It’s all in your head and it plays out beautifully. (The Holy Spirit plays a vital role not accounted for in this analogy – the role of using the Word to convict, reveal, encourage and teach.)
If someone asks you about the game – you can talk about Babe Ruth, the infield fly rule and how the Yankees are doing this season. You know your stats.
Living out Christ’s commandments is like playing third base every moment of every day for the rest of your life. You feel the soft infield grass under your feet, the smell of the leather, the crack of the bat. Unforced errors followed by double plays. Dirt and mud and dust. You wear the uniform, sport the equipment and stand ready to play your role on the team. You learn to play only for your Coach and for the good of the team. Each team member has its function – you depend on all of them and they depend on you.
Your understanding of baseball now lifts off the pages of the rulebook and internalizes itself in your heart. You come to love the game, love the Coach, love your team – despite the bruises, the hot sun, errors, bumps, exhaustion and pain. You sacrifice your freedom for the long practices and strained muscles; in trade for the dugout conversations, the cheering of the angelic crowd and the support of your teammates. Your Coach teaches you to make constant improvement and you obey His every word. In turn, He begins to trust you as a steady, consistent team player. Years of experience have sprouted wisdom.
Now, if someone asks you about the game – it’s not the history or the rules you mention. It's not your batting average or winning record. It’s the love you have for the Coach, for your teammates, for the dirt, the sweat and the smell of leather. The rules and history help guide, encourage and inspire you to be a better teammate – but now you understand the spirit of the game, the love… and you can’t wait for the big game.
posted by Brad at 12:42 PM
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