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I have no doubt that my skill in life looks to God much like a 6-year-old trying to play T-ball. The short snippet of baseball hilarity that I got to witness was a humbling reminder of my own weakness and room for growth. But it was also a loving picture of God as Shepherd. God is firmly and consistently instructing His children in the way we should go – similar to the coach I saw. But God is also kind in correcting our mistakes. He isn’t pulling His hair out on the sidelines, yelling, or biting back a sarcastic comment. Instead, Christ our Shepherd calmly points out the inevitable consequences of our actions – some from His own hand and some natural. He comforts us when those consequences come to pass and encourages us to avoid them in the future. Our Creator knows our weaknesses (Psalm 103:14) and is patient with our foolishness. He is willing to wait for the best time to teach us certain things and is always focused on our good – not the “W” at this current moment. Our Coach is far better than we deserve – and better than we can imagine.  It was adorable. 6-year-olds playing T-ball. Some were playing in the dirt. Some were sitting down. Two were picking on each other. A few were paying attention to the game...but the skills were lacking to do much more than run around and look cute in their uniforms. One poor kid actually could play and looked the most frustrated of all of them...except maybe the coach. I wonder if this is something of what God sees when He looks at humans (even Christians) living their lives. Lots of people are distracted by incidental and inconsequential things. Some people are hurting each other on purpose. Others think they know “how to life”. But they really just run around chasing a ball and occasionally knocking into each other. Then, once in a while, someone does know “how to life” – and in trying to make everyone else understand, comes off as a royal jerk. Yes. I wonder what God sees when He looks at me “playing” my life?  Many things in life sparkle – like my newly painted parking spot. But just because something is blingy doesn’t mean it deserves our focus. But day-to-day, these things often receive our energy and attention because “the bling” appeals to our desires (especially the bad ones). We naturally focus on what catches our eye...or captures our heart...or intrigues our mind. It is foreign to us to think to do otherwise, unless we are Christ’s. But when we belong to Jesus, we have the option to avoid being sucked in by the bling. So next time, let us step back, pull our eyes off of what has caught our attention, and focus on God. As we set aside our own desires, we are then able to ask God and allow His priorities to reorder our own.   As I looked at those mesmerizingly bright white lines in our parking lot, I laughed. I was ignoring the brand-new cars and cars that could run me over to look at little bits of paint on the tarmac. But they were new and white and shiny. And they “demanded” my attention. In other words, that’s where I wanted to look.
And that’s where I tend to focus in life too. I naturally direct my attention to where I have placed my affection. This is why God keeps commanding us to love Him first, and then others. Over and over, Christ repeats His Father’s instructions to love. The Bible contains specific directives to love our spouses, our children, our brothers, our neighbors, and even our enemies. In other words, don’t be mesmerized by the lines. Set your heart on things that matter. Wow! My car magically looked so good. Cleaner. Newer. But I hadn’t visited a car wash or scrubbed off the moss. All that was different was...the new, bright white parking lot stripes. Who would have thought a sharp parking lot could make my old rattle-trap look better? It did. But why? Because perception is never just one thing. It is a combination of things. Like in life, small things matter. Small acts of kindness build families. Gentle words build relationships. Hints of hospitality form community. Tiny sacrifices allow us to become part of the ways God is working all around us.  |
The AuthorCome with me as we grow in fellowship with each other and our Savior to whom belongs the Amazing Escape from sin and death and the Amazing Journey into glorious life. Archives
August 2026
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