“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” –Colossians 3:17

DO IT ALL

I grew up a baseball player. I played my whole life up until college. I even became an umpire as well because I loved the game so much. Going through training to become an umpire, I met a few older guys who I became friends.

The reason I’m telling you this is because I met an older man who ended up umpiring one of my baseball games in the last season I was playing.

About ten years ago, we were getting near the end of the season and playing in a close game. Runners were on base and I hit a grounder to the shortstop. He bobbled the ball and then threw to first to try and get me out. I know I beat the ball to first but my friend who was the umpire called me out. Inning over. I got really angry. I began arguing with him and getting visibly upset. When I went back out to the field I had some more words for him.

Here we are in a close game and I had the chance to bring in a run and I’m called out when I know I’m safe.

Now, we all know that it’s pointless arguing a call with an umpire because they aren’t going to change the call. But that is not why I’m saying this. I’m bringing this up because I needed to be an example to him and my teammates on how to handle things in life that don’t go our way.

In EVERYTHING, do it in the name of Jesus. This verse covers everything. It means how you talk, how you work, how you love your family. Even how you react when an umpire calls you out at first. Everything.

Each of us will have to deal with things that aren’t fair or that we don’t want to go through. Yet, it is up to us as Christians to respond how Jesus would have to show the world who we follow and who we love.

It will also allow us to become grateful for what we have. While we are going through things that are difficult, we can see the blessings of our Father all around us. So instead of being upset over losing a job, having someone talk behind your back or even having a bad call against you in a baseball game, we can be thankful.

Thankfulness is key in getting through difficulty. We all have things we can be thankful for. We have life, family, friends and a church. That’s just the start of it. Even if you have gone through the most difficult of times we can be thankful Jesus died on the cross to give up eternal life. That gift isn’t going anywhere and is available to all who believe in Jesus.

If Jesus never did another thing for us, his dying on the cross would and should be enough for us.

– Jason Davis