The Little League World Series (LLWS) is well underway, and as this big sporting event wraps up the summer each year, it gains more and more attention.
Sports fans are drawn to watching the young kids play baseball at such a high level while seeing their youthful joy and excitement shine through.
Major League Baseball decided to join in on the fun again this year by having a game Sunday night called the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies played the game in front of a smaller crowd than they’re used to, but it was filled with the players and families of those involved in the LLWS.
The game is always a huge success, and a great opportunity for the young players to interact with the MLB players before the game.
The pro players were also given a great reminder of the young exuberance they had in their youth – recollecting the reasons they started playing baseball in the first place.
I love watching pro sports, even though I know they are playing the game to receive a big paycheck. But deep inside those MLB players, there’s got to be the young, excited, passionate, little league kid that fell in love with the game of baseball for all the right reasons.
As the LLWS takes place, the kids end up being great examples of the genuineness and specialness found in sports…and we witness how true passion for the game begins.
In light of MLB players and fans learning from the LLWS kids, I’m also reminded how we can be inspired by children when it comes to our faith in Jesus.
Children have such a dependence, trust, and genuine love for their parents. They aren’t caught up in all the trappings of the world and aren’t bogged down by the stresses and worries that adults face. There is a level of freedom and exuberance that children represent.
Jesus actually points to a little child as his example in this important story from Matthew 18:1-4 (AMP):
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child and set him before them, and said, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent and become like children , you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’”
Too often people want every answer to their big questions before believing and following Him. But it’s crucial we think more like a child, and embrace humility, trust, and total dependence so that we can experience all that God has in store for us.
For those of us who have followed Jesus for a while, we must daily surrender to our need for the childlike faith of humility, trust, and dependence. We must never forget how our passion for Jesus first began.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for losing my passion for You at times, and just going through the motions. Please help me to live a life of faith, in total dependence, and genuine humility. I need you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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