Let's Play Ball!

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks,
I don't care if I never get back.
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win, it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game...."

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is a 1908 Tin Pan Alley song written by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer which has become the unofficial anthem of North American baseball, although neither of its authors had attended a game prior to writing the song. The song (chorus only) is traditionally sung during the middle of the seventh inning of a baseball game. Fans are encouraged to sing along, and at some ballparks, the words "home team" are replaced with the team name." Taken from: Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia... 

If you haven't figured it out, BASEBALL is the my "B" word of the week! "Why?" you may ask. Because right now it's what my family is living and breathing! With my oldest son on a select baseball team (Go Prospects!), our weeknights are spent at practice and our weekends at the fields.

You may also be wondering, "What could possibly be spiritual about baseball?" Actually, there's a lot we can learn from sports, teamwork, and teams! In fact, the Holy Trinity itself is the perfect model of a "team" (Father, Son, Holy Spirit - One God in three persons; distinct in personality, yet the same in purpose, essence, and nature).

We've all heard the old adage, "There's no 'I' in team," and isn't it the truth?! If a team is going to succeed, each individual must choose to think of their teammates rather than their own glory and success. What ultimately matters is the group -- what's best for everyone and not just for me? What will help our squad and lead us into victory? 

Jesus was and is the perfect example of a team player. Let's look at Philippians 2: 3-11 and see what you think:

"Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

 Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God                                          HE WAS GOD!!!
    as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;                      Angels could have delivered Him 
    he took the humble position of a slave                                   at any and every turn!
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
    he humbled himself in obedience to God                    He thought of YOU and ME as 
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.                               He suffered and died!

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
    that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,            He defeated death, rose again,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,                 and now reigns as Lord in heaven...
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,                        Until He returns!
    to the glory of God the Father.

Just as there are "no tears in baseball" (A League of Their Own), pride should be a no-no for our teams! Rather, we should strive to wave humility as a banner overhead! Because when we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up in honor (James 4:10).

Ephesians 4:2-4 --  Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

1 Peter 3:8 -- Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.