Playing To The Grandstand

This is another devotional from Facts of the Matter: Daily Devotionals.  This was encouraging to me and I thought you would enjoy it as well!

Babe Ruth "played to the grandstand" back in the 20's when he, on a count of 3 balls and 2 strikes pointed to the right field bleachers to signal his intention of hitting the next pitch out of the park. When he slammed that next pitch into right field, the fans went wild!

Like "the Babe," we also "play to the grandstand." That is, we "play" to the people in our lives whose approval we most cherish, be it parents, colleagues or competitors.

Recently, I spent the afternoon with Bob, who only of late has come to the realization that he has spent his entire life "playing to a grandstand" of one: His father. Now Bob's dad is a cool-headed, tall in the saddle, Charlton Heston type: A paragon of self-control, inner strength, and high achievement. A loner. Aloof. A man's man. "Rawhide." A "saddle up, let 'em ride!" kind of guy. (We won't discuss his father's earlier hurts and insecurities that created this masked masterpiece of outward perfection.)

From boyhood, Bob's every move has been calculated to somehow win his dad's approval. Approval that is parsimoniously meted out in grudging, muted fashion. Approval that is based on his father's definition of "acceptable" performance.

As Christ's followers, our calling in life lies in exactly the opposite direction: We are to "play to a grandstand" of one: Jesus. Here are two reasons why:

The fear of God: "So we make it our goal to please him… For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men… " (2 Corinthians 5:9b-11a) (See Genesis 4:7; 1 Samuel 2:3; Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Peter 4:5)

The love of Christ: "For Christ's love compels us… And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." (2 Corinthians 5:14a,c, 15) (See Matthew 10:37, 38; 21:15-17; John 21:15-17; Romans 14:10; Ephesians 3:18, 19)

 

If we are to enjoy the freedom that is ours in Christ, we must come to the conclusion that it is only His view of how we conduct our lives that really matters. (Ponder Daniel, chapter 6)

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ… Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men." (Galatians 1:10; Ephesians 6:7) (See Matthew 22:16; Colossians 3:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; James 4:4)

 

QUESTION: To which grandstand are you playing: Gaining the whimsical approval of others? Or receiving the affirmation of your loving Heavenly Father who longs to say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant… come and share your master's happiness." (Matthew 25:21b,c) (See 1 Peter 1:7)