A few nights ago my two sons and I were watching my beloved Atlanta Braves play baseball. It was the top of the 9^th inning and my Braves were losing by one run. They were one out away from starting the season 0-2. As the clean-up batter stood at the plate with two strikes, I told my boys the game was over, frustrated that through two games the Braves had only managed a couple of hits. Then with one swing of the bat, the ball sailed over the fence and the Braves tied the game. That hit seemed to spark the offense because they scored three runs in the 10^th inning and won the game.

What a valuable lesson for my boys and me. Sometimes we feel like the game is over and our team is going to lose, but we never know what is going to happen with the next pitch. Our team just might hit a game tying or even game winning homerun. We must never lose faith.

Right now it is easy for us to be frustrated, anxious and maybe even depressed. We may see the news or hear reports and feel as though our team, the church, is losing. We may even feel like we can never come back and be victorious because our world is too messed up and life seems so different. At times it sure feels this way, doesn’t it?

However, I want to remind you of something that I too sometimes forget. You never know what is going to happen with the next pitch. And here’s the thing, I don’t know what is going to happen, but I do know this: God is still in control. He is still sitting on His throne and there is nothing that can happen in this world that will ever cause God to be removed from the throne (Psalm 45:6; 47:8; 103:19).

We may feel like we are in the bottom of the 9^th inning with two outs and on the verge of losing. However, unlike our favorite sports teams, our spiritual team cannot lose (Dan. 2:44). We have the greatest manager in charge of our team. And no matter how inevitable a loss may seem, we must look up and remember we have the Lord on our side. He already has been victorious.

A moment of heart wrenching pain. That moment you wish you could go back and do over. Ever had that feeling? The moment you realize you shouldn’t have hit the “post” button. Now others have seen what you have written. Maybe you have gotten a few likes  and comments for your post. Maybe someone shared your post for their friends to see. But you know the ugly truth…you should have never hit the “post” button.

Whether it was a social media post, an email or even a text, we have all hit the send or post message button a little too quickly. We have allowed our emotions and frustrations to get the best of us and posted something in a fit of anger or disappointment that we should have sat on a little longer. If only we would not have been so “post” happy. If only we would have fought the urge to post our thoughts immediately and just slowed down long enough to allow ourselves to think more rationally. If only we had… we would not be in the mess we find ourselves in.

We live in a time where we are able to post our thoughts and feelings for others to see in only a few seconds. With a few quick strokes on a keyboard and the simple push of a button, we can be heard all the way across the world. And while I appreciate our technological advancements and the great opportunities they provide, we must use such technology in a godly and wise manner. Paul said, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph. 4:29).

Friends, before we send that email or make our post public, let’s be sure of our motives. Let’s pause and make sure our emotions are in check before firing off something in the heat of the moment that we may end up regretting. Instead, let’s be slow to speak (Jam. 1:19-20) or, in this case, let’s be slow to hit that post button.

Earlier this week we celebrated an American holiday known as Memorial Day. This day is set aside to honor those men and women who have died while serving as a part of the United States military. Many people honored those who gave their lives for our country, visiting cemeteries or memorials and posting heartfelt messages across different social media platforms. We do what we can to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom so they are never forgotten.

While we are thankful to each man and woman who has paid the ultimate price for our physical freedom, we should be even more grateful to the man who paid the ultimate price for our spiritual freedom. You see, we were in desperate need of a savior. Our sins caused us to be separated from God (Isa. 59:1-2). None of us could expunge our own sins or do anything to bring us back into a faithful relationship with God. We were spiritually dead in our trespasses (Eph. 2:1-3).

“But God.” Two small words that pack so much power. Even though we were spiritually dead and had nothing to offer God, because of His great love for us, He made us alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:4-5). Jesus laid down His life in self-sacrifice so we could have freedom from our sins (Jn. 10:17-18). He was willing to do for us what we could never do for ourselves.

I am grateful to all those who have given so much so you and I might live freely in America. These men and women have paid a great price and deserve to be remembered and respected by all Americans. However, even more so, Jesus deserves to be remembered and respected by ALL PEOPLE. He gave His life on the cross of Calvary so we, Americans and non-Americans, could experience a freedom like no other. He died so we could have the forgiveness of our sins. Friends, may we never forget the great sacrifice Jesus made for us.  

Over the course of the last few weeks many of my favorite summer plans, from the church camps I love to summer outings with our teens and friends, have been canceled.  My typical “crazy” summer is anything but crazy this year. In fact in many ways, my summer is now “crazy” empty. My guess is you may be experiencing the same thing. Many of the things you enjoy and look forward to each spring and summer have been postponed or even canceled all together. While I do understand why things have been canceled, I still feel disappointed and sad to be missing these events and activities.

However, there is something else that has been canceled for each one of us that should cause us to rejoice rather than feel disappointment: the cancellation of our sins. You see, no matter how good any of us may be, none of us could right all of our wrongs before God. There is and never has been a way for you or me to redeem ourselves on our own merits. Thankfully, God provided a way for us to be redeemed. 

Jesus went to the cross of Calvary and paid the ultimate price. Through this one very heroic act you and I can have our sins canceled or expunged (Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9:26). The beautiful thing about this cancellation is it was not just for certain people or places but for the whole world (John 1:29; 3:16). Jesus gave His life so we could live ours and stand unashamed before God. 

Right now some event or activity you really enjoy has probably been canceled. Chances are more cancellations will take place in the coming weeks. When this happens, will you stop and consider the greatest cancellation that has ever taken place? Christ’s death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins is the greatest cancellation we can imagine (Psa. 103:10-12). It’s the one cancellation we can all celebrate and appreciate. And then, lift up your voice in thankful prayer to the one who made all things possible.

Now that’s Something to Think About!