Baseball is a beautiful game filled with tradition, memorable moments, and legendary players. Unfortunately, the recent revealing of a sign-stealing scheme implemented by teams on their way to winning the World Series has rocked the sport so many people love.
How could these players and managers cheat the game like this? Did they really believe they could get away with it?
After an investigation, we’ve learned the Houston Astros were illegally using an electronic sign-stealing system to decode and relay opponents’ signs.
A report by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred explains, "At the beginning of the 2017 season, employees in the Astros’ video replay review room began using the live game feed from the center field camera to attempt to decode and transmit opposing teams’ sign sequences."
"One or more players watched the live feed of the center field camera on the monitor, and after decoding the sign, a player would bang a nearby trash can with a bat to communicate the upcoming pitch type to the batter."
Although this sneaky setup provided them an unfair advantage while hurting the integrity of the game, the Astros eventually got caught.
As a result, the legitimacy of the team winning the 2017 World Series has been questioned...year-long suspensions have been given...and manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow have been fired.
It’s also been announced that former Astro’s bench coach, Alex Cora, was involved in the sign-stealing while working as a bench coach in Houston and will no longer be the manager of the Boston Red Sox.
In addition, there's a current investigation into whether or not Cora set up a similar scheme in Boston on their way to winning the 2018 World Series.
My biggest takeaway from this wild story is how the secretive sign-stealing scheme was meant to remain in the dark but was ultimately brought to light.
As we continue to process the details in the days ahead, I think it's important for us to look at our own lives. We need to honestly ask ourselves if there is any on-going sin that we're attempting to keep hidden or secret.
What are we participating in that is hurting our integrity? What blatant disobedience or unrepentant sin do we need to bring to light and confess before our “sneaky scheme” escalates and causes even more harm?
The reality is that God already knows what we’re up to and our sin will eventually be brought to light. Proverbs 28:13 (NLT) says, "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”
Thankfully, 1 John 1:9 (ESV) gives us the good news that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
It’s time to transparently acknowledge any sin we’re hiding and confess to God, as well as, to someone we trust. David writes in Psalm 32:3-5 (NLT), the process he went through which is similar to what we experience:
"When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
"Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.”
Today, let's rejoice that there is freedom in the light! I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess the sin I've kept hidden in my life. I pray that as I acknowledge my disobedience, You will forgive me, cleanse me, and empower me to turn from it. I rest in Your amazing grace. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
Why is it ultimately pointless and harmful to attempt to keep our sin hidden?
What do you need to confess today?
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