Practice, Practice, Practice

Last week I had the opportunity to be in Louisville, Kentucky.   Louisville is a very old city and it is famous for several things, among them being the Kentucky derby, as well as being the birthplace of boxer Muhammad Ali.  For fans of baseball, it’s also the place where they produce the Louisville Slugger.  1.8 million or so baseball bats are made at the factory in downtown Louisville every year.  I got to see the process first hand (I also got to hold the bat Mickey Mantle used from 1961-1964) and they had lots of stories about the game of baseball and the players, as they toured us around their factory.  One story in particular was about the high standards they used in producing bats for the professional players.  They have these mechanical routers that can cut through a baseball bat in about 30 seconds.  These are great for the recreational players, but for the pros something else is demanded.  They have this very precise computer controlled router that cuts a bat to the exact specifications of each player. Each player knows exactly the feel of their bat.  In fact, they told the story of how one player sent a bat back to them because it just didn’t feel right.  They measured it and sure enough, it was out something crazy like a hundredth of an inch.  The guy giving the factory tour explained that these players swing their bats continually, uncountable amounts, and that of time makes them extremely discerning.

Psalm 119 has the dubious honor of being the longest chapter in the Bible.  I’d like to suggest that you read it.  I mean it, go right now and sit down and read it (I can hear the groans already – you don’t really mean all 176 verses !!??!).  To count the verses is to relegate this chapter to mere Bible trivia, and it is so much more than that (and yes, I do mean all 176 verses).  You see, Psalm 119 is actually the climax of the book of psalms.  It’s a 176 verse ode to how great the word of God is.  Verse 105 says : “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”.  This great Psalm is a discussion of God’s word and how the writer needs to spend time in God’s word.  God’s word is what will help the writer live a live pleasing to God.  Time in God’s word enables a follower of God to obey.  Reading, meditating, and memorizing God’s word is what keeps a person on the path God has for them.  If there is any chance of being discerning in the life of following Christ, it has to do with spending time, lots of time, continually in God’s word.

I may not be a professional baseball player, but I am a follower of Christ.  Baseball is just a game, yet there are people that devote themselves fully to it, and give it their best personal time – all in the service of a game.  And so I’m challenged.  Because being a disciple is far more significant.  I want to develop that kind of discerning sensitivity to the word of God.  Only then will I be able to excel in service, and be obedient in every aspect of my life.