I have had a rough couple of months. My faith was tested to say the least when I had one of the most important things taken away from me, baseball. I have played this game my entire life. It has brought me to many places (Including Liberty). Things have not gone my way this year with an injury, and trying to come back and want to be a part of my team. I want more than anything to make a contribution to the team. I have never been satisfied with my accomplishments. I set goals, reach them, and set more. There is only one team that finishes the year with a win. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord has given me the gift and desire to play this game. I also know that before I knew the Lord that this game was the center of my life. My identity was a baseball player. I ask you to ask your self the question. What is your identity? When people hear your name, what do they think? How do they define you? Anybody who has ever played with me would not question my passion for the game of baseball, but when it comes down to it the Lord has revealed to me this year that I must follow his plan, not my own. I completely took foregranted the privelage I have to play this game. I also know now that my identity should be in Christ. A friend told me recently that if I was as passionate about the Lord and pursuing him as much as I was about baseball then my relationship with Christ would be something else. He was right. I have thought a lot about this, and it really convicted me. I can't control my short comings on the baseball field. I can't control my physical limitations. I can't throw 96 MPH. Some times I can't control my fastball, and other times I can't command my offspeed. I can control my walk with the Lord, and putting all my faith and trust in him no matter what the circumstances are in my life. It is silly to get so wrapped up in the things of this world. We can't allow our own desires and goals to come before our relationship with Christ. We must surrender our heart and soul to him and he will open doors and plant desires that we never would have imagined. He will use you for a purpose that has eternal value. As I look back on how much the Lord has worked in me throughout this year I am amazed. I have come such a long ways, and I am a completely different person. I give Jesus Christ all the credit for this tranformation. It is nothing I did, but it is Chirst in me who has given me this new heart and renewed mind. I am not perfect, and this trial has not been handled the right way on my part. I didn't trust God at first with this scenario, but I have quickly turned back to him. I am trying my best to trust him now, and I am so thankful for the merciful God that will always be there for a surrendered heart.
"Do all things without grumbling or questioning so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life -- in order that I may boast in the way of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." Phillipians 2:14-16
I was grumbling about my situation. I was questioning why God was allowing this to happen to me, but he tells me to do all things without grumbling or questioning so that I may be his blameless and innocent child. We live in a crooked and twisted generation. Turn on the t.v. Turn on the radio. Our culture has got it all wrong. I can't scroll through my news feed on facebook without seeing an outfit or a status that will allow an evil thought or image to enter my mind. If we trust the Lord then we will shine like stars in the universe if we live out and trust his word. Stars shine 24/7, but you can only see their brilliance in darkness. Sometimes God allows the circumstances in your life to go dark so he can shine forth his brilliance in your life. I am now thankful that I can't control a lot of things in my life because I am SO MUCH more thankful now in the truth that the creator of the universe is in control of everything. What I think is important compared to what God knows is important is pretty foolish compared to his wisdom.
"They all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ." Phillipians 2:21
The only way to make your interests God's interests is faith in Jesus Christ. Through a relationship with him, and allowing the word of God to renew your mind is the only way to experience sanctification. My biggest passion should be my relationship with Jesus Christ because that is the only thing that is ultimate.
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18
When you are going through a tough time remember God's promises, and trust him. He is the only thing that is always faithful. Believe that with all your heart, and if Jesus isn't the Love of your life then you haven't experienced true love. If you aren't looking towards God you are looking in all the wrong places. Allow God to shine through the darkness and trust him with whatever circumstance you are going through.
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