“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:13-14
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Most people focus on results in athletics. In baseball, we have a player’s batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and on-base plus slugging percentage. A pitcher has his earned run average, quality starts, strikeouts per nine innings, and walks plus hits per inning pitched. As analytics have taken over the game, exit velocities, barrel rates and launch angles have been added. Baseball is a microcosm of society. We are more focused on the results than the process.
When a pitcher steps on the pitching mound, he must put results on the back burner. His focus is on the catcher’s mitt and executing the pitch that’s been selected. Everything else is out of his control, so he focuses on what he can control. He isn’t perfect in his execution every time, but he works toward constant improvement.
In life, you are in control of three things: your attitude, concentration and effort — A.C.E. To be the “ACE of the staff” means that you are the best pitcher, someone the team can count on. For position players, scouts are constantly looking for the “five-tool player,” someone who has all the tools to be the best.
God is looking for five-tool followers of Jesus who lead by example with their speech, conduct, love, faith and purity (1 Timothy 4:12). By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can yield each of these areas to His control and be an “ACE” on our Father’s staff. Not perfect, but always improving. Which areas in your life do you need to yield to His control?
— Mickey Weston, Chicago White Sox chaplain
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