Eye Want to Pitch

May 21, 2024

Weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dan Bolin

Christian humility does not consist in denying what there is of good in us; but in ... the consciousness that what we have of good is due to the grace of God. - Charles Hodge

Watching my grandchildren’s weekly baseball games has brought back some wonderful childhood memories – and a few I’d like to forget.

I was about eight or nine years old when I played my first season of organized baseball. After a few practices, the coach called us together and announced we would play a practice game. I found myself looking at the coach’s stomach while surrounded by about 15 enthusiastic young players.

Then the coach made a critical error. He asked, “Who wants to pitch?” Every young future hall-of-famer screamed, “I do” and shot their hands into the air. Unfortunately, the index finger on my right hand jabbed the coach’s left eye. Practice over. No game. Emergency room for the coach.

Thoroughly humiliated, I slunk away and ended my season!

Peter reminds us of the danger of self-promotion. He said, “clothe yourselves . . . with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” (I Peter 5:5-6)

Arrogant self-promotion hurts others and embarrasses yourself. Trust the protection of God’s mighty hand and wait for him to lift you up.

Excelsior,

Dr. Dan Bolin

Author & President

Refueling in Flight Ministries