Striking Out?

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Striking out in life? Find out how to hit a homerun?

This past week, the Pirates have been hot. Playing at PNC Park here at home, it seems as though they hit much better than while on the road. It’s always fun and exciting when Jason Bay, Sean Casey, or any other Pirate launches a deep fly ball that sails over the fence. The fireworks go off, and everyone stands and cheers as the batter heroically rounds the bases. There’s nothing like it.

In the game of life, there’s nothing like hitting a home run as well! The tricky part to it, however, is assessing what game we’re talking about. Of course, in the game of our careers, family life, or even our love life (for those who are single and “playing the field”), hitting a “homerun” is defined differently. But what about our spiritual lives? Too many people I talk to either feel frustrated in their spiritual walk or don’t care about it at all. For some, to step up to the plate and consider things of spiritual value for their lives is something they have no desire pursuing.

While God’s Word doesn’t use “baseball language” to describe the potential of our spiritual journey, hitting a “spiritual homerun” is all about discovering a personal relationship with Christ, someone who “came to bat” for us. You see, it was Jesus who took our place on the cross so that we may have the potential to become victors over sin and its consequences. We hit a “spiritual homerun” by inviting Christ into our lives. For when we do, He fills us with not only purpose and meaning, but with eternal life.

The facts is, in the spiritual game of life we all become “strikeout victims” if we rely on our own powers and strength to appease God’s righteous standards set for us. God’s Word tells us that we have ‘all fallen short of God’s glory” (Rm. 3:23), and will strike out every time if we are not depending on what Christ has already accomplished for us.

Have you every considered trusting in Christ to make you victorious in your spiritual walk? Do you feel like you have been “striking out” lately on your spiritual journey? Perhaps you may be pursing “religion” alone and not the “relationship” side of faith?

If you desire to begin a new relationship with Christ or renew an old one, it’s time to set up to the plate. The good news is that you can do that with confidence as you place your faith and trust in Christ! In Christ, all things are possible!

So take a cut and swing for the fences… spiritual fences that is. You don’t have to strike out any longer. For through Christ, you can do all things by means of the strength He gives you (Phil. 4:13).

Pastor John DeLancey

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