It is the heart of Little League season, those days when children get their first experience of playing on a team, of learning about the rules of play, and of listening to and heeding their coach. Do you remember that first voice spoken into your ear as you stood at home plate, gripping the bat like a lifeline, waiting for that first pitch?
Unlike the actual game, when coaches call out from the sidelines, in a baseball batting practice the coach is right behind the Little Leaguer — squaring their shoulders, positioning the bat, adjusting their grip, evening out their elbows, speaking instructions every step of the way. Chances are if you still play ball you still hear the echo of that first coaching voice in your head…
Elbows down.
Bat back to your ear.
Keep your eye on the ball.
Swing!
Some voices stay with us forever. What voices have spoken into your life? Can you still hear them?
There are voices of encouragement that urge us to keep trying, keep working, keep doing what we know is right.
There are also those voices we hear that accuse us of not being good enough, of being a failure, of not deserving anything better than what we’re getting.
The voices we listen to in our heart and soul can strengthen us or shatter us, push us forward or pull us down. The power of the Voice we ultimately answer to can determine the destiny and direction of our life.
In John’s Gospel (John 5:1-9), the man at the pool of Bethesda had been an invalid for 38 years. He hears Jesus’ voice: “Do you want to get well?” When the invalid says he has no one to help him into the pool, Jesus says, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured. He picked up his mat and walked. You and I may not be listening and hearing Jesus’ voice.
Some voices stay with us forever. What voices have spoken into YOUR life? Can You still hear them? Have YOU heard Jesus talking to YOU?
JESUS LOVES YOU MORE IN A SECOND THAN ANYONE COULD IN A LIFETIME!
Treats for the Soul PLUS. Please give a listen to my PODCAST. I think you will enjoy my Commentary and Prayer Reflection on today’s Message. Just click the white triangle in the blue circle up above.
