Small Ball

I am a baseball fan from way way back. One of the reasons I appreciate the game is that baseball players are rewarded for their stats. Batting average, extra base hits, and home runs are markers often reviewed when a player wants to renegotiate his contract. How are they rewarded? Through the terms of their contract in the form of financial compensation. And what is wrong with that? Baseball always has been and always will be a "team" game and the team needs the star as well as it needs the role player that doesn't get the fat contract. Every player has to do the little things that don't necessarily show up in the stat lines each night. Things like bunting, taking an extra base, and hitting behind the runner even if it causes them to be put out. These things are referred to as small ball. 

To see a team buy into this type of sacrificial attitude is a thing to behold. When you look at the world that we live in today people don't want to be the one that has to make the sacrifice for the greater good. Our culture teaches that we are to get what's ours no matter what. The idea of working together for a common purpose is sadly something that is phasing out. I for one feel that it is a great thing to be taught to our future generations from a small age. Too many people are looking to move up and get the best opportunity they can no matter who they step on along the way. 

When the apostle Paul shared his vision with the people who accompanied him there was no argument about packing up and heading down to Macedonia. They didn't ask Paul what was in it for them, why advantage would they have by following him there. They did the unexpected thing and picked up and moved with him. They displayed character, trusting in Paul and knowing that if they aligned with him in the common purpose, they would achieve the greatest good for God's kingdom. 

You don't have to be the allstar player for God. The real stars join with others and play consistent small ball to help build God's kingdom. 

"That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there." Acts 16:9-10