I recently attended a baseball game at Great American Ball Park - home of my beloved Cincinnati Reds, or was that "deads"? Whatever the case, on this particular night it seemed that the team went from being dead to being alive all with one swing of the bat. Drew Stubbs hit a grandslam homerun to put the team up for good. It was a great night to celebrate, especially after it seemed that the Cubs might be able to come back in the 9th. Things got tense, a narrow putout at first, a homerun, a long flyball out, a walk, two errors and the bases were loaded, but a ground out ended it. The Reds fans were happy!
This game got me to thinking about celebrations and the resurrection of Christ. Easter was this past week and it was a great time to celebrate something really important. Christ was crucified and was dead, but he was raised to life through the power of God to reign as Lord Over All for good. The ultimate comeback story was played out in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! We can all celebrate.
The fact that we know the outcome of eternity's "game" should be a blessing to us. No matter how much pressure life throws our way in the later innings of life, we can still celebrate because the final victory is assured. Even when we make errors or when our lives are loaded with suffering there is an undying hope that never fails -- our faith in Jesus Christ.
"Now faith is the promise of things hoped for, the assurance of things unseen."
Now get out there and play some ball!
