Weekly Devotion – June 6, 2024

The Best Defense

Our first game of church league softball season was a close win this past Tuesday. The teams were evenly matched, having mostly scoreless innings with a few runs coming in at clinch moments. We were tied as the clock ran down in the last inning, but as the home team, we were last to bat and managed to score a run. We won: 6-5.

I watch a lot of baseball on mlb.com and from the bleachers at my son’s ballgames. Softball is a far more defensive game than baseball. While all positions in baseball are important, the game heavily relies on the pitchers rather than the fielders. In our softball league, the opposite is true. There are virtually no strikeouts and the batters usually make contact every time. The ball is always going to require a good defensive play. I think a similar thing could be said about our faith.

The Apostle Peter wrote a letter to the early church saying, “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15-16)

What are your beliefs about being a Christian? Can you make a good defense about why you believe in God? Or trust in Jesus? Or how the Holy Spirit works in your life? What is your defense of when someone asks you about something you believe? It’s good to think about your defense when the questions come to you. In softball terms, are you ready when the “ball comes your way”? Stay faithful this summer to worship and don’t fall out of practice. Be ready to make your defense whenever it’s asked of you.

Peace,
Zack@madisonfumc.com

It is more than knowledge of the game, it’s also the experience of applying that knowledge. You may know how to catch a ball, but what you do with it after the catch matters as well.