Friday, March 4, 2005

On this Friday of Our Morning Walk and in anticipation of spring baseball training, I leave you with this light but poignant tale of:

Bob had died a quite a few years ago (by earth's standards), but it seemed like only an instant by heavenly standards. Now Bob was a faithful servant and an avid fan of baseball all of his earthly life, so God invited him to watch a very special baseball game with Him. It was the start of another heavenly season and God's team was playing Satan's team. God's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was now the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs.

Bob and the Lord continued to watch as the batter, Love, stepped up to the plate. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never fails. The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love. The next batter up was named Godly wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch; Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass, because Godly Wisdom does not swing at Satan's pitches. Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly wisdom never swings at Satan's throws. The bases were now loaded.

God then turned to Bob and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Bob made a face... Grace certainly didn't look like much to him! Apparently Satan's whole team agreed: they all relaxed and laughed a little when they saw Grace.

Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To all but one's amazement, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried; his center fielder, the Prince of the air, let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing to the ground; then it continued over the fence for a home run! And so God's team won.

God then asked Bob if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could get on base but could not win the game by themselves. Bob, looking a bit sheepish, admitted that he didn't know. God explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom could win the game, you would think you could win it by yourself. Love, faith and wisdom will only get you on base, but only My grace can get you home. My grace is the one thing Satan cannot stop."