Four Errors Do Not Make a Home Run

I love to watch Little League baseball, and I really like to watch the little kids play. I enjoy watching when the batter hits it to the pitcher who lets it roll between his legs. Then the second baseman picks the ball up and throws it into right field. Now the batter is running to second. He runs to third while the outfielder is picking up the ball and dropping it a couple of times. Then, when the ball is thrown into the dugout, the batter makes it all the way home. And that is when someone yells: “He hit a home run.” It was fun. It was exciting. It was a run scored. But it was not a home run. It was four errors. It was not even a hit. Calling it a home run does not change the facts. It does not make it true. Telling the batter he hit a home run may make him feel good, but it is still not right. It reminds me of how some people talk about following Jesus.

There are some who do not know what the Bible says about following Jesus. They may believe that something is true when it is not. Or they may be convinced that God’s truth is revealed by emotions. If it makes me happy, it must be what God wants for me. If I feel good about my decision, it must be right. Or if everyone is telling me it is true, it must be.

As leaders of God’s people, as those who exercise spiritual leadership, and as those invited to speak into lives as shepherds, preachers, or teachers, we must speak truth. We have a great privilege and responsibility to speak God's words into the lives of those who trust us to give them true guidance. It is not always what people want to hear, it may not be what people want to believe, and it may not make them feel good.

But it will be right. It will be true. It will be best for them.

After all, people’s lives are not Little League baseball. And four errors do not make a home run.