Notes from the Trail

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It’s swinging time - bat-swinging time, that is. Sam is in the middle of his season, and Adelyn has just started practicing for her first season of softball. If they’re not at practice or a game, we’re often in the backyard hitting ping pong balls and playing catch. Not being a baseball guy myself, I learned from some of my friends who are that hitting a smaller ball can increase your concentration and eye-bat coordination.

In a recent game, the pitcher for Sam’s team became noticeably tired late in the game. You couldn’t see it on his face initially, but you could tell by his throws. They became inconsistent. I was sitting next to one of the boy’s grandfathers, and I heard him remark that you could tell he was tired because his curve balls weren’t making it all the way to the plate. They were falling short. It wasn’t long before a fresh pitcher was subbed in after that.

It was curious to me that you could tell more about the player’s fitness from his curve balls than his fastball. Today as I was reflecting on that, I also realized that how we respond to “curve balls” in life also determines a lot about us. In my definition, a curve ball is something relatively unexpected. A curve ball in life is typically something that catches us off guard and upsets our normal routine.

We can learn a lot about ourselves, others, and about God in how we choose to respond to life’s curve balls. In baseball, good hitters come to anticipate different pitches and are able to recognize a curve ball when it’s thrown. They understand that curve balls are part of the game. 

Even so, we do better when we understand that setbacks, upsets, disappointments and discouragement are part of life. It’s unrealistic and even unbiblical to expect life to be smooth sailing. After all, it wasn’t for Jesus. 

The writer of Hebrews urges us to remember Christ’s life and example:

Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (12.3)

The implication is that Christ was thrown some curve balls as well. He expected them. We are told to think about Him and the way He handled misfortune, injustice, upset, unfairness, persecution and the like.

Paul instructed a his protege preacher in 2 Timothy 4.5 to “keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (NIV) The English Standard Version translates “keep your head” as “always be sober-minded.” Those are good words for all of us.

Rather than frantically swinging at the air, missing the pitches of life, these instructions encourage us to settle down, keep our eyes fixed on the ball, and swing with confidence. 

How we respond to curve balls reveals a lot about our character. Are we cool-headed only when things are going our way, or are we able to respond with grace and faith when things fall apart around us? Can we hold our tongues when attacked? Do we seek to belittle those who have belittled us? Do we allow our emotions and passions to rule us in moments of surprise, or do we remain focused on the pitch before us?

I’d like to improve my batting average. How about you?

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice, insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also be glad when His glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4.13)

This is my solitary place. Where is yours?

1. Matthew 14:13
   When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitaryplace. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
   Matthew 14:12-14  (in Context)
2. Mark 1:35
   Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
   Mark 1:34-36  (in Context)
3. Mark 6:32
   So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
   Mark 6:31-33 (in Context) 
4. Luke 4:42
   At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. 
   Luke 4:41-43 (in Context) 
5. Luke 5:16
   But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
   Luke 5:15-17 (in Context)

For those of you who didn’t watch last night’s American Idol, you missed a profound shift in the cultural understanding of the power of faith in God.

Throughout its insanely dominating reign over the airwaves, AI has had contestants verbalize and demonstrate Christian faith. Ruben Studdard was overtly Christian, and his genre is Gospel music. Should-have-been AI from last year, Chris Daughtry, was the lead singer in a Christian band for a while and remains committed to his faith. Carrie Underwood’s song about a girl’s near-fatal car accident has been sung in churches across the country as a musical parable of surrendering one’s life to Jesus.

Hundreds of auditions and songs by contestants have been songs of faith. Yet last night raised the bar and turned the 2-hour special “American Idol Gives Back” into a near-worship concert as the remaining contestants closed the show with Darlene Zschech’s song “Shout to the Lord.”

What is the dynamic occurring with AI that seems to consistently lean it toward Christian faith? Have the producers “got Jesus?” I don’t know, but I did notice that although Dolly Parton sang freely about Jesus the week before, “the name above all names” was edited out of the first lines of “Shout to the Lord” last night. (Update: Even as I was writing this, Carolyn started watching our TiVo of tonight’s show, and they opened with “Shout to the Lord” again! This time, they left “Jesus” in the opening!! What is up?!)

It’s interesting that in a culture that preaches and rabidly enforces “tolerance,” there’s apparently little for that particular name being sung in a song (or mentioned by political candidates in this election year). It’s OK to default to an innocuous and occasional “God” or “Lord,” but Jesus’ name seems to be forbidden fruit.

Why? Simply because there’s “something about that name.”

Yet, the entire stage was filled last night with white-wearing, swaying singers, backed up by a choir, singing one of the most moving and popular Christian choruses of this decade.

Is it because when AI gives back, they discover a profound spirituality present when humanity shares? Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give.” Is this brush with holiness caused by the fact that rampant generosity short-circuits evil? That by giving, we release control and seek another’s good?

Another interesting observation is simply that it’s music that has provided the medium for TV’s largest viewing audience to once again experience the passion of love present in the person of God in Christ. There are varieties of music, of course, but it’s distinctly Christian music that resonates deeply with every human heart.

It’s one thing to sing about the gal who left you or the dog who got run over, or about killing a cop or rude sensuality. It’s another thing entirely touching to sing about themes that reverberate within the human soul - love, hope, peace, patience, kindness, joy, purpose, beauty. These themes in music lift the heart and mind above the temporary and base affections we’re so prone to and revive our souls.

Though the American infatuation with AI borders sometimes on true idolatry, last night’s show rose above the cultural noise to glorify the Author of Generosity, Love, and Music. Jesus took the wheel.

The following is an incredible praise song that I want to shout from the rooftops. Would that my eyes were open to see the works of God’s hands! Too often, I get so consumed with my own problems that I can’t look beyond them.

Has anyone else noticed how many great songs Hillsong is churning out these days?