Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9: 37-38 NIV)

Small Ball

I am a big fan of playing small ball. Stealing bases. Laying down a sacrifice bunt to move a runner into scoring position. It is a traditional baseball strategy where you do anything you can to manufacture a run within any given inning.

I know, I know. I’ve read (and watched) Moneyball. Sabermetrically speaking, over the course of a 162 game season with professional players these strategies do not prove to be effective. However, in any given game, or even a series, that one run can make a huge difference.

A single sacrifice bunt can easily win a baseball game. Stretching a single into a double can help you get the edge in a series. A single stolen base could take you from a wild card team to a World Series champion.

As Christians, we are not out there to win championships but to win souls for Christ. We are to share the gospel so that non-believers may experience the love of Jesus.

That does not mean that in order to make an impact you must be the first to introduce Jesus to someone and then still be there when they make a decision to follow Him. Just like small ball, the tiniest act can make an enormous impression on someone and how they view the teachings of Christianity.

Share your testimony. Show some mercy. Be kind when it is unexpected. Our small deeds can play a huge role in a non-believer’s path toward salvation. That is why we should treat every interaction as if it may be the only time the other person experiences the love of Christ.

It’s like small ball, but for Jesus.

– Jamie Boggs

If you would like to submit a reader devotional, please email all submissions to jason@sportsspectrum.com