One of the embarrassing parts of being famous is that your mistakes are highlighted and broadcast for all to see. This happened last summer to professional baseball player Marcell Ozuna.
“Braves manager Brian Snitker confirmed that outfielder Marcell Ozuna was benched in Sunday’s win over the Diamondbacks after an embarrassing sequence in which he was caught gawking at his 415-foot mammoth hit, resulting in only a single. In the top of the fourth inning, with the score tied 3–3 and no runners on base, Ozuna hit an absolute bomb to center field off a Zac Gallen fastball. Ozuna apparently believed he’d hit a home run, and he stood at the plate and watched the ball sail to the outfield only to carom off the wall. It was only then that he decided to start running, and he barely made it to first base safely. Ozuna clearly would’ve had extra bases if he’d hustled immediately after making contact. Instead, Snitker pulled Ozuna from the game, and he finished 1-for-1 on the day.”*
This story made me think of the words of the apostle Paul to the church in Colossae. In chapter 3:12-17, he calls the brothers and sisters there to the high standards of godliness in Christ. Then in 3:18-22, he applies those standards to specific groups of people: wives, husbands, children, fathers, and slaves. On the heels of that, he summarizes by saying: “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Colossians 3:23-24).
Although he wasn’t perfect, notice what is said about King Hezekiah: “Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:20–21). In baseball parlance, he ran out every hit.
God loves you!
Mike
*https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/06/05/braves-marcell-ozuna-benched-loafing-415-foot-single?fbclid=IwAR3ppGrRVZGlqLikNE5Xihc40fa4lIFUCCHh10Ul_sFByWicG_5TFScsJ8c
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