In his book, “How Life Imitates the World Series”, Dave Brosewell tells a story about Earl Weaver, former manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Weaver had a rule that no one could try to steal first base without receiving the steal sign from him. This upset Reggie Jackson. Reggie felt that he knew the speed and strength of all the pitchers and catchers well enough that he could tell when he could beat the throw to second base and when he couldn’t. So one game he decided to prove his knowledge. He got on base with a single, got a good lead off, and when he felt the time was right, took off for second, beating the throw easily. Jackson brushed off the dust from his uniform with a smile of vindication on his face. He should now have proven to Weaver that he needed no sign from his manager to steal. He knew better than his manager when he could steal a base and when he couldn’t.

Weaver was not pleased. He got Jackson aside later and explained to him why he had not received a steal sign. The next batter was Lee May, his best power hitter other than Jackson. When Jackson stole second that left first base open, giving the other team the chance to walk May intentionally, taking the bat out of his hands. The batter after May was not a strong hitter against this particular pitcher, so that forced Weaver to send in a pinch hitter, robbing the team of the bench strength they were going to need later in the game.

Weaver explained that Reggie’s problem was that he was looking only at his relationship to the pitcher and catcher. Weaver was watching the whole game. We too, view life from only so far, while God is seeing the much bigger picture. We complain about situations in our own lives, in our communities, country and the world. We see things we don’t like and decide that the world or life has hit the skids or is coming apart. We complain about the way things are being handled by others and fear what the future will hold, all the while forgetting that God is still on the throne, still seeing the big picture, still using those who are willing to be obedient to His will to bring about the future He knows is best for all.

In our individual lives we all face problems daily. We know our nation and our world face situations of staggering proportion. I don’t know how anyone will completely resolve the problems of our nation and our world’s crippled economy, or how anyone can bring peace to the Middle East, or what natural disasters will strike next to cause further calamity. I do know, however, that the best advice is always to remain obedient to the One who does know all things, and when He sends us a signal, it’s always wise to act on it. Paul speaks to the church in Rome saying, “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17-18) For our nation this Independence Day, I am praying that we will remember that independent or not, we will still be slaves to either sin or righteousness. And that we, as a nation, must choose obedience to the righteousness of the Father through His Son, Jesus, and then rest assured that God still sees the whole game and knows best how to call the plays. Happy Fourth of July.

Jeff