Home Plate

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Hebrews 12:2-4.

Ask any ball player, “What’s so important about home plate?” and you will get a barrage of answers. Home plate—where the umpire stands to make the calls; where runs are scored; where the batters line up to hit the ball; the target for the pitchers to throw the ball; the place on the field where dreams come true, or they are shattered. Home plate is the focus for which team is winning and where controversial calls are “discussed” animatedly by coaches and players alike.

So, what is your home plate? I mean, where is your focus that determines if you are successful, worthwhile and a team player? When Christ is our home plate in life—the Person we look to in order to define our meaning and purpose—we will be safe at home. If our focus is elsewhere, we will miss the mark and our team will feel the effects of our inattention to the most important aspect of this game called life. Running to first base, though helpful and necessary in the game of baseball, does not score runs for your team. In life, it is necessary to have a job, finances and budgets, material things that make it possible for us to do the work we are called to do, but those things do not score us success in life—they are but one of the others bases we must round to score for our team. Choose your focus wisely, and make sure that your home plate is truly the most important aspect of your life—focus on Jesus Christ and His glory and you are assured a victory!

Thought Provoker: What is your home plate today? Is your focus on Christ and His glory or are you settling for other bases that will not score the runs? Talk to God about your focus and ask Him to make it right.

Lord, please make my focus—my home plate—You and Your glory. Then, I will be assured of a victory in this life that will be pleasing in Your sight. Amen.