What does an ordinary Christian man look like? - Extraordinary.
Life at a Standstill? Watch a Baseball Game
Photo by Joshua Peacock on Unsplash
Life at a Standstill? Watch a Baseball Game
Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Another great baseball game. The score is 0 - 0 in the 15th inning, a 4-hour game. Then just a few days later, 0 - 0 in the 18th inning, a 5-hour game. Houston and Seattle, battling out a 0 - 0 dual shut out. This is but another reason I love baseball - terrific, nothing happening, yet glued to the TV.
Patience, my man, patience; defy any anxieties. When your life is at a standstill, a 5 hr game of baseball will do you good. Focus on the game, focus on God and keep it there. Author Sally Ferguson indicated how life and hope were coming to a standstill, all part and partial of our experience with Covid-19 around the world. As she referenced, the ultimate of life at a standstill is expressed in Luke 24. As she expressed it, “Good news! Jesus hasn’t disappeared; He is here in the midst of upheaval. He walks the road of life with us because He rose from the dead and is now interceding at His Father’s side, on our behalf!”
Luke 24: 46-48 “He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
Just as in baseball, just as in our lives. Men are left on base inning after inning and no runs scored. You just can’t seem to plow through it all. Well, try it again. What is holding us back? Maybe try a different way, modify your strategies - a bunt, a walk, a stolen base, a pinch hitter. Keep the eyes on the goal and vision of victory, while at the same time focusing on the task at hand, each and every inning, each and every batter.
Yesterday I watched a NY Yankee baseball game on TV. Slow moving game, 2-2 and the 9th inning about over. Oh well, extra innings I thought. Suddenly a rookie outfielder hits a game winning home run. Just like that. Standstill over.
The ultimate standstill in our lives could very well be what my daughter just experienced. Like Jesus being resurrected after 3 days, her life began after 3 days of labor. And then, boom. It’s all great now, and the pain - no more and forgotten.
Exodus 14: 13 “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.”
So yes, if baseball or anything in life is at a standstill, focus on God, focus on your goals. Better yet and more specific a strategy is to stand firm and pray, wait on the Lord. Good for Catholics and baseball coaches alike.
Psalm 33:20-22 “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”
Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Written by Dr. Michael J. Baglino, Ed. D., author of ‘You Only Live Thrice’, More from a Florida Catholic’ and ‘Europe Meets Florida’ coming soon.
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About the Author
Dr. Michael J. Baglino, Ed. D. is a retired college professor, most recently an adjunct prof. in behavioral science at Palm Beach State College, Florida. He is a graduate of both Winona State University, MN and Florida International University, Miami. Michael is also a retired entertainer [singer/actor], performing primarily as a Frank Sinatra tribute artist under the name ‘Michael Matone’. A parishioner of St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church in Wellington, FL, Michael serves as a lector, EM, and 4th degree Knights of Columbus. He is a professional member of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists. The Baglino family, wife, children and grandchildren all live in South Florida.
He is the author of 5 books, most notably ‘From Gramsci to Freud’ and ‘The Dr. B. Reader on the Ologies’. In his books, Dr. Baglino presents a series of articles and vignettes on religion, psychology, politics and culture. He shows us that God is with us in our daily lives interweaving trials, travels, and decisions with Catholicism. Definitely not without humor, Michael presents a down to earth and Catholic perspective to so many of our contemporary issues. See www.michaelbaglino.com/speaker.
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