Don't rush growth - baseball illustration

When I talk about 'spiritual growth' or 'spiritual maturity,' I'm simply talking about growing in grace - growing in the knowing and expressing of who we already are in Christ. I've talked a lot in the past about "slow growth" and "natural growth," etc. I've talked about enjoying where we are in our individual journeys, and not trying to rush the growth process. Last night I listened to an incredible illustration of this while I was watching baseball.

St. Louis Cardinals rookie outfielder Colby Rasmus hit a home run - his fourth of the young season. That's great for the Cardinals, of course, but I was then floored as I listened to the commentators talk about how the team's management and trainers have been working with Rasmus to "not get too home run conscious." I was in awe of the team's logic, as they are taking time to work with young Rasmus to develop him as a Major League player.

See, Rasmus is only 22 years old. He signed into baseball right out of high school (far from a common thing). He spent his first few years in the Minor Leauges, and this is his first season (rookie season) in the Major Leagues. The commentators said that the team is still working to establish Rasmus as a Major League player. He IS a Major League player, but they are working to establish and develop his particular role as a player. And it's gonna take time. He's gonna make mistakes and he's gonna learn.

At the present time, the team is working to establish him not as a home run hitter, but as a line drive hitter. Essentially, a line drive hit can get you on base and can also advance or score runners who are already on base. The team believes that eventually Rasmus will be a home run hitter, perhaps hitting 20 to 25 home runs per season. But here's the interesting phrase that the commentators used. The team wants to "mature him into a home run hitter" (as opposed to putting a lot of emphasis now on hitting home runs). I'm sure there are many reasons for this, not the least of which would be that if he gets too "home run conscious," his overall hitting may not develop properly. If he takes time to develop his skills as a line drive hitter, his overall hitting - including home runs - will become more natural.

As our heavenly Father is rooting us and establishing us in His love and grace, and as He's developing us and forming the life of Christ in us over a period of a lifetime, it's OK to be right where we're at. In fact, it's not only OK - it's essential for our overall development that we remain right where we are and not try to force growth. Let God develop your "line drive." The "home runs" will come naturally in time. Ahhh.... relax!

Who's on first.

Whooooooooot! Baseball season has begun! I'm not the biggest sports fan in the world by any stretch of the imagination. I don't dream about sports. I don't have sports parties. I don't particularly pay attention to most sports. I might pay attention to an Iowa Hawkeye football or basketball game now and then, but overall there's generally no sport or sporting event that gets my heart pumping a little faster than normal.

Except when it comes to my beloved St. Louis Cardinals! I don't know why I'm so enthralled with the Cards, except perhaps to say that I was born in St. Louis and I attended a game or two as a child. Also, when my family moved back to the States in 1981 after four years in England, I saw a few games on TV and then in 1982 I somehow began to follow the Cardinals towards the end of the season... a season in which they just happened to win the World Series. I guess after that I was hooked. There have been several ups and downs with the team since that time, including several playoff appearances and another World Series appearance or two, but no more World Series' titles... until 2006, when I had really followed them - almost religiously - all year.

I don't know why I love them. I just do! I really like the game itself (watching it, that is). I suppose (?) it's because I'm generally a laid back person who likes a thrill now and then, and any given baseball game is kind of like that!

Anyway, with the new MLB season underway, here's a classic comedy sketch!

Abbott and Costello - Who's on first