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About Jesus - Steve (Stephen) Sweetman A
Game Of Failures If you are a baseball
fan, as I have been since 1978, you have probably experienced more times
of frustration than times of joyous celebration, and why?
As it has often been said, "baseball is a game of
failures."
If a batter only gets a
base hit just 30% of his at bats, he is considered a good batter.
Only 42 players in Major League Baseball history have succeeded in
getting base hits more than 40% of their at bats.
The last time that happened was in 1948.
When a pitcher fails to
pitch perfect games, yet still only gives up two runs per nine innings
over the span of a season, he is considered an ace.
Over the last 154 years of MLB history, more than 235,500 games,
there have only been 24 perfectly pitched games. As of August 6, 2023,
only two MLB baseball teams out of thirty teams have won 60% or more of
their games. The most winning
team in MLB history was the 1906 Chicago Cubs.
They won 76.3 % of their games and lost 23.7% of the time. Failure is fundamental
to baseball, and I'm sorry to remind you, it's fundamental to life.
We win some and we loose some.
Don Henley reminded us of this in his song entitled "The Cost
Of Living," from his I'm neither an optimist
nor a pessimist. I view myself
as a realist. Life's failures
neither depress me nor defeat me. The
Holy Spirit helps me leave yesterday's failure behind so I can move on to
today's hopeful win. Then,
when the Body of Christ works as it should, I find support from my team of
brothers and sisters in Jesus.
Even the best baseball
players get frustrated and discouraged at times, yet underlying those
negative emotions is a winning attitude.
As it is also often said, "today is a new day and a new
game." In other words,
yesterday must never spoil today.
From 2001 to 2017 only
20% of baseball prospects have made it to the major leagues.
Yes, baseball is a game of failure, but in the end, someone always
wins. That's why avid fans say
that there's always next year after their team fails to make the post
season. The apostle Paul endured
many struggles that some might consider failures, but he fought the good
fight of faith until the bitter end (2 Timothy 4:7).
The bitter end came for Paul when his head fell to the ground in a
pool of blood after being sliced from his shoulders by a Roman sword.
I believe that Paul viewed this apparent loss as his ultimate win.
Life is full of
failures, but as a Christian, I will win in the end.
Until then, yesterday's loss will not nullify today's possible win.
Post Script As with baseball,
consistent failure demands a change of strategy.
Also as with baseball, you are never without some victories.
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