Baseball Gloves and Jesus

I was getting ready for bed after a day at baseball camp during our mission trip to Germany.  As I contemplated the devotional I would give the following morning, an image of a baseball glove, with a baseball nestled snugly in the pocket, came into my mental view.  The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, “You are hidden in Christ.”

This led me to Colossians 3:1-4

“Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

What does it mean to be hidden in Christ?

This means that our identity and security are in Christ.  We don’t depend on the world to give us our identity.  But the world tries to tell us we can find our identity in other things, such as relationships, grades, achievements, and sports. Everyone is vulnerable to this, particularly children. Every day, we are bombarded with distorted messages about what is important in life.  

While we are hidden in Christ, our faith cannot be hidden.  We have to find entry points to share Christ with others.

Matthew 5:15-16 says, “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We are shining a bright light into the lives of others to draw them to Christ.

But Paul says to set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  It is easy to become distracted by life - by the game.  This is true for us all.

How do we avoid becoming distracted? We do this by remaining connected to Christ.  In John 15:5, Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Remaining in him through this intentional time of devotion and prayer keeps us hidden in Him - focused and securely attached to the vine - much like the ball is securely held in the glove.   

We put him first - grounding our day in Christ.  I pray that this dedicated time of devotion will be something each of us continues well beyond our time together here.  This is the example we are setting for one another and staying hidden in Christ in this way will yield fruit as we keep the “first thing first.”  There is a song by that title, whose lyrics illustrate this beautifully:

        I don't wanna love what the world loves

        I don't wanna chase what the world does

        I only want you

        I only want you

        First thing's first

        I seek Your will

        Not my own

        Surrender all my wants to you

        Keep the first thing first

        To live Your truth

        Walk Your ways

        Set my eyes

        Lord I fix my face on you

        All my desires reversed

        To keep the first thing first

In John 15 goes on to say, “This is my command, that you love one another.”  We will love one another and all those we meet by…

1. Staying hidden in Christ - keeping our identity in Him.

2. Staying connected to the vine - keeping distractions away.

3. Keeping the first things first in our personal prayer life.

4. Letting the light and joy of God shine through us.

1 John 4:19 says, "We love because he first loved us." If we remain in him, we will then pour from a full cup. We will love others well with the love he has given us, and everyone is lifted up to Christ.