Day 57 "The Missed Pitch"

I still remember it, and it took place about 50 years ago! It was Saturday and turned out to be a great day weather-wise for playing baseball. I loved playing baseball as a kid. My neighborhood friend and I both had games to play that day but his was up first. So we threw the baseball back and forth to warm him up before his game. And then it happened! I got down in a catcher's position and yelled, "Come on, Bill, fire it it!" Automatically, as if taking orders, Bill took up his pitcher's position, began his windup, and let go of the ball. Somehow, some way, I failed to get my glove up enough and the ball sailed over my glove just barely nicking the top of it and struck my face hitting me in the mouth. I was done for the day. A sizable fat lip ensued, and I was woozy and groggy for the next few hours. So much for using the protective gear as intended! And I missed my ball game- not sure which was more painful!

Today, with the Coronavirus continuing its march into the lives of everyone all around the world, we need to take a quick assessment of our protective gear to help protect us from the onslaught of this terrible virus. At the time of this writing, the United States has over 101,000 confirmed cases-the most anywhere in the world and over 2,000 infected people have died. And, according to the medical experts, it is going to get much worse before it get better. So from a physical point of view, what is our protective gear? Masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, soap, for those lucky enough to have procured them and keeping our social distances from one another-at least 6 feet away from one another. But as this virus continues to hang around, it's going to take a toll on us mentally as well. God didn't leave us alone, however, to fend for ourselves, He also provided things for our protection mentally and spiritually as found in the sixth chapter of Ephesians:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." Ephesians 6:10

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:11

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

The apostle Paul goes on to write in Ephesians:

Stand firm with the belt of truth

Stand firm with the breastplate of righteousness

Stand firm with your feet fitted for readiness through the gospel of peace

Stand firm with the shield of faith which can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one

Stand firm with a helmet of salvation

Stand firm with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

As you look over this spiritual list of items, meditate on their usefulness. We are just beginning to see things ramping up very quickly due to the Coronavirus. Much of our economic activity around the world and in our country have come to a grinding halt. Food, protective gear, basic necessities are flying off the shelves as people continue to fear the worse and begin a hoarding rampage. Fights are beginning to break out. Fear is beginning to take hold, though at least for now, fortunately, being held somewhat at bay with the positive spirit and attitudes of countless people across our land trying to reach out to their neighbors with care and comfort. For now, it seems that the basic needs of the people are being met and protective measure being put into place with a stay-at-home edict. But should the tide change, and things become increasingly worse, each of us will be called upon to look inwardly to ourselves and ask the question, "What can I do to be a positive instrument of hope and an oasis from despair?" I am reminded of President Kennedy's infamous speech, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country!"

Your inner peace during the upcoming tumultuous days will arise and take hold from the hope and expectation that your faith in Christ brings to you. They may not answer your daily needs. They may not protect you physically from harm. But what they will bring to your soul is the understanding and knowledge that all that is around you is temporary, and even in the best of days and times, all will pass but God's kingdom is still ahead and will last forever. In the meantime, armed with this faith and hope yourself, now is the time to be a lighthouse for those sinking into the darkness and be a storehouse for those who need help and love.

So when things in life are thrown at you, much like the baseball thrown at me, make sure that your protective gear is in place and positioned properly so that they may adequately do what they were intended to do. But more importantly, make sure that your spiritual gear is in place for they have the capacity to be used to change and alter another person's life for all eternity.

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"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12

In his love, see you tomorrow.... "Carpe Momentum in Love"