Extra Innings

Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.

-- 1 Samuel 18:5

With Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game just behind us, it’s a great time to remember one of the all-time greats of America’s Pastime: Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig.

Nicknamed Iron Man, Gehrig was a outstanding player who combined power with average. When his career was cut short in 1939 by the fatal disease that would eventually carry his name, Gehrig had hit nearly 500 home runs, driven in almost 2,000 RBIs and racked up a .340 batting average. But despite these impressive numbers, the New York Yankees first baseman is perhaps best known for his streak of playing in 2,130 consecutive games.

In an era before modern sports medicine, Gehrig no doubt played

an inning or two while hurt, sick or even exhausted. But he carried on for the good of his team. And his dedication, selflessness and love of the game sustained him for 16 seasons while leading the Bronx Bombers to victory after victory. He succeeded in baseball because he had the strength and willpower to go the extra inning. Likewise, it’s in much the same way that God’s grace (undeserved kindness) sustains every Christ-follower throughout their extended journeys of faith.

A misconception among some Believers is that God only presents his grace to them the moment they give their lives to Jesus. After that — they reason — he steps back into the cosmos to watch in silence. But the Bible tells us that he remains by our side. Just as our walks of faith are marked by twists and hairpin turns along a rugged path, God continues his presence. And it’s a good thing. Because from time to time, we all need spiritual renewal as we grow in what it means to follow in Jesus’ steps. Even the apostles — the ones who had personally witnessed Christ’s life-changing miracles — asked the Lord to increase their faith. So we’re in good company.

The apostles were both physically and spiritually drained after abandoning their livelihoods and then following Jesus for three years, And when their Master was arrested, tried and crucified, they scattered in fear for their lives — just as he had predicted. But they soon experienced renewal the night Christ reappeared to them. John the Apostle described the remarkable scene this way:

In the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples had met together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood right in the middle of them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he showed them his hands and his side, and when they saw the Lord the disciples were overjoyed. Jesus said to them again, “Yes, peace be with you! Just as the Father sent me, so I am now going to send you.”

These early Christ-followers could now continue with their world-changing mission. What’s more, they had renewed confidence. And not in themselves — but in God alone. It was through him that they had the faith and power to both accomplish and endure until the final out.

Like a beleaguered baseball team that relies on their talent and willpower to finally clinch the league championship, Christ-followers depend on a special Power to get them through those difficult extra innings of life. We know it to be God’s sustaining grace, made possible through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. And if you’ll bear with one final baseball analogy, it’s the power that guarantees that we’ll one day be safe at home.