Sunday, June 14, 2009

will you stay through the 9th?

We left the Yankee game on Saturday after the eight inning. Our beloved Yankees were trailing the cross-town Mets 2-6 and from what we had seen so far that day, a 9th inning rally was unlikely. Our lack-of-faith proved accurate as the Yanks went down quietly 1-2-3 as we made it out of the parking lot and were already on our way home.

Sure, it’s possible they could have staged an amazing rally – and we would have missed it by leaving early – it just seemed unlikely.

You see that lack-of-faith among players some times, too. They are so far down in a series or so far behind in a particular game that they just go through the motions… waiting for the clock to run out. The eventual loss is inevitable.

This came to mind this morning as our pastor spoke about the ongoing battle between the spirit and the flesh. What the heart desires vs. the acts of selfishness, laziness and gratification. You see… that battle has been going on daily within me. And the flesh has been on a good winning streak of late. While there have certainly been some victories and runs scored for the spirit, when I look back I get the sense that the flesh has gone undefeated for the past 18 months. That’s 0-18 for the good guys.

What’s worse, I have come to expect defeat. And I start each day waiting for the loss. Going through the motions, in what has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Losing becomes inevitable. And that kind of thinking only makes the outcome more likely.

I know the momentum can shift at any time. I’m just not helping the cause very much. But I pray that you won’t leave this game before it’s over. Is there any hope for a rally?

27 comments:

kc bob said...

"the ongoing battle between the spirit and the flesh. What the heart desires vs. the acts of selfishness, laziness and gratification"

Well put Ed. I often think that the part of us that we feed and exercise will be strong and exercise dominance over the other parts. If we feed and exercise our heart then it might stand a fighting chance against our flesh.

Glad you got to see the Yankees even if the Mets beat them.. always reminds me of the rivalry my brother and I had growing up.. he loved the Mets and I loved the Yankees.. of course now I am obliged to cheer on the home team Royals :)

Anonymous said...

your pastor is right.

we are in a battle.

that will not change until you die or until Jesus comes for you, which ever comes first.

it is not a game.

you have your orders...

believe in Jesus as the Christ,
Love God and Love others.

call it a rally, call it a shift, but there is going to be change by the Holy Spirit with our minds, hearts and spirits.

this battle is not fought with man made weapons or hate or fear.

it is fought with faith in God and His Love.

put on the armor of Light.

clothe yourself with Jesus Christ.

no one leaves the war...they just choose a side.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God... " (from ephesians 6)

TK said...

I got my rally cap on...

Ed G. said...

KB -- thanks for your encouragement and ideas. The KC/Yankee rivalry was big in the late 70s... do you think the Royals will contend any time soon?

kc bob said...

My short answer to that question Ed is: No but I hope that I am wrong :)

Anonymous said...

i am sorry, ed, i can see that your refrence to a game is fine. i am in a very hard place and can get quite serious lately.

you are more than you think you are.

as you can see, i am not into sports watching...

but, the big game is going to have a fantastic ending. winning against all odds.

Ed G. said...

Hi Nancy == sorry i haven't been over to visit lately, it saddens me to hear you have been in some hard places... but i have faith in you. "you are more than you think you are" is a wonderful reminder. bless you!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

How cool is it that the hope of our faith is based on a rally, in one sense? He's coming!

Will be lifting you up in prayer, Ed. At least you realize you need a rally - sometimes, at least for me, that's half the battle!

TubbyHippo said...

are you on break?

i have a new address

www.justsaytheword.wordpress.com

nAncY said...

i don't know why that came up as casey...i know that my name is really nAncY

Anonymous said...
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Ed G. said...

Hi Nancy -- all is well, taking a blog break. Hope to be back this fall! Thank you so much for caring!

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