Missing It

I love my little brother. He is one cool cat. There are moments that I would love to put him in a headlock, but we're brothers.

Last night we went to his baseball game. He rode with me on the way. The whole way there we blasted Mumford & Sons. He mumbled along trying to find the words as little boys do. I acted like a goober, and screamed to get a few giggles.

Once we got to the game, he was pumped. He loves to play. He started off playing pitcher. Now this is coach pitch, so he is an extra infielder. The first ball hit was right up the middle. He snagged the grounder and threw it to first base for the out. I smiled. After a few more plays, the ball came his way again. It was in the form of a fly ball this time. It went up, and he scampered to get under it. He works hard. He set up, got his glove in the air, and waited. The ball hit the ground beside him. He missed it. Everyone saw him miss it. He knew he missed it.

This happens to us a lot. Maybe not on an athletic field or in the realm of sports. But, sometime we just miss it. We have opportunities to make a right choice or a chance to succeed, and we miss it. We make a mistake, we mess up, and we look ridiculous. When was the last time you missed it? Are you missing it right now?

We are all going to miss it sometime or another. There is no doubt in that. But, how do we respond. Matthew got red in the face. He was embarrassed. But, he was also determined. He was determined to go back and make the next play. He put his big boy pants on, and did so. How are you handling this imperfect world, and your imperfect life? Are you pouting? Are you harping on the mistakes you've made, or even blaming them on others? Or, are you looking forward to the next play? We need to be praying for God's grace to give us a next play, not hoping it never comes so we don't mess up again.

The biggest question? Why are you on the field? Why does Matthew play? Why do you live? We need a reason to keep on playing, and living. We need something that tells us to get up and do it again. We need a purpose. Maybe this is the area where we've missed it the most. Our passion and purpose is to be Christ. Not me, my success, and my glory. Not that I may go pro, get a raise, or get back what I once had. Our drive is to be to honor God. That is why we were made. He is why we get up. So that it may glorify Him, when He picks up my pieces, and hits it where I have missed it.

Where are you missing it? How are you responding? Why will you try again?

It's never too late to glorify God. Let's get to it.