World Series
For baseball fans, this week marks the holiest of holidays for us. It’s the beginning of the World Series. Only one of the teams I chose in the playoff brackets made it to this year’s dance, but it doesn’t matter, it’s still the World Series. As an avid baseball fan, I must confess this year that I’m not pulling for a team as much as I am pulling for players. I love watching Clayton Kershaw pitch with such disciplined mechanics. I’m amazed at the strength of Jose’ Altuve’, listed as the shortest player in Major League Baseball. His physical stature does not paint an accurate portrait of his incredible ability as a long ball hitter.
To secure their lead, and bring the game to a close, it will be great to watch Kenley Jansen march onto the field. His intimidating stature and 98 mph fast ball will be something I look forward to watching with amazement. Playoff success has poured all over Justin Turner with the highest batting average and homeruns. The pressure is on him for more success.
My deep admiration for Nolan Ryan pulls me toward cheering for the Astros, as his son Reid is the current president of the team. Reid Ryan, as a child, was the batboy for the Astros, and now he’s the president of the team. It’s just going to be fun this series pulling for player success and not really a certain team victory.
I feel so awkward not pulling for just one team. I’m a baseball fan! I love competition. In competition there’s always an opponent. But this season, I just want to see my favorite people be at their best with the talent that has been bestowed upon them by God.
It’s always great having someone root for you to succeed. Parents celebrate victories over the course of the life of their kids to bolster their success. Coaches motivate their athletes to push beyond their limits to achieve goals. Musical and theatrical directors bring the best out of their musicians and actors. It’s always great to be around people who want us to succeed.
Not all people are able to experience the boost that comes from someone cheering them on from the sidelines. I know there are many who live life with feelings of abandonment or desertion. As people of God we must realize that our God desires for us to succeed.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he admonished them when he said:
“There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” Philippians 1:6 (The Message)
Did you hear that? He said the good work that was started at our salvation will be accompanied by His presence to help us succeed all the way to the finish line. There is no promise of the absence of obstacles, disappointments, or interruptions, but He does promise he will be there pulling for and cheering us on along the way. Our God is real, our God is righteous, our God is trustworthy, and our God is faithful. We must never forget, and always remember, that our God is also our biggest fan!