Pleasant Valley Baptist Church

The Epistle of Jim

August 2003

One of the things I love about sports is the life lessons that can be learned there. James Woolston recently made an observation about our church softball team that makes a great point. Our team has won six games and lost two. In our six victories we have hit no home runs but we have hit several home runs in the two losses. Just because one player hits the ball well does not guarantee victory for the team. The team is dependent on each of its individual players to perform in his role to be successful.

The game last Tuesday is a great example. It was a very close, exciting game throughout with several lead changes. But going into the final inning our team was trailing by four runs. Each batter went to the plate determined to just get on base. We strung together several hits, scoring three runs and putting men on first and second, but there were also two outs. With the game on the line another base hit scored the tying run in an exciting play at the plate. We scored two more runs that inning and then held the other team scoreless in the bottom half to win the game.

No one player could have won that game. Even if someone had hit a home run we still would have needed others to get on base to score enough runs. It took an effort by all the players on the field.

It is the same in the church. We each have to do our part if the team is going to be successful. There are some "home run hitters" in the church like Billy Graham, but he can’t do it alone. Each of us needs to get that base hit, each of us must do his or her part. Jesus acknowledged this as He commissioned the church to carry on His work. You might think it would have made more sense for Jesus to stay here on earth and continue His great ministry. But He chose to rely on a team instead, even though He is obviously the greatest "home run hitter" of all time in the spiritual realm. Not only did He entrust the work to His church, He even promised that we would do greater things than He had done (John 14:12). This can only happen as the body of Christ gets contributions from each of its members to fulfill our mission.

So when you get discouraged because you can’t hit a home run, remember you’re on a team that just needs you to get a base hit. When you’re worried that we’re losing the game, remember to just keep playing your position and God will work out the rest. "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:27, NIV)