The new MLB season has begun and, of course, every team wants to win the ultimate prize - the World Series!
But as Sam Miller explains on ESPN.com, “Only one team will win this year's World Series, but many more will be happy with the season to come. Teams will surprise themselves, build toward something bigger or find joy in events that are not directly followed by a huge municipal parade.”
In his article with the headline, “The Truth Hurts! Realistic 2019 Goals for all 30 MLB Teams,” he breaks down how “each team’s idea of success will be different.”
Miller gives each team “two paths to happiness: One is on the pleasure scale, related to an accomplishment achieved. The other is on the pain scale, related to a sadness avoided.”
For example, he determines the goals for the Chicago Cubs:
How to find pleasure: Win the division.
How to avoid pain: Yu Darvish is good and healthy; Kris Bryant is an MVP candidate.
You can read the rest of the other teams’ goals here.
What caught my eye about this article was the teaser used on the front page of ESPN.com, “We Define a Successful Season for Each Club Based on Finding Pleasure - and Avoiding Pain.”
It’s a fun topic for an article about baseball, but I’m afraid this same standard for success is used for so many in life as well.
How often do we get caught up in the pursuit of pleasure and view having more pleasures as being successful in life? We consider successful people to be the ones with the most accomplishments, fame, power, and money. In our own lives, we chase one thing after another hoping it will bring us pleasure and enjoyment.
On the other perceived path to happiness, we do whatever we can to avoid pain. We don’t want to suffer or face difficulties, but just want life to be smooth sailing.
This prevents us from stepping out in faith, standing up for truth, and being courageous. We live safe and comfortable lives, doing our best to avoid any kind of pain.
Either way, however, we know deep down that true success and fulfillment do not come from selfish pleasures, and pain actually grows us and deepens our faith.
I’m not saying we should seek out pain for pain’s sake, but the idea that a successful life is free from pain is misguided. I’m also not saying we shouldn’t enjoy life, but when our main motive is finding pleasure, we’re going to be empty.
When we give up going our own way and choose to follow Jesus, our standard for a successful life changes. We now have new pursuits and pleasures.
Titus 3:3-5 (NLT) explains, "Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.
"But—When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”
We also know that a life of faith will involve seasons of pain, suffering, and persecution. Because choosing obedience may require pain, we embrace it instead of avoiding it.
Moses is a great example of this as described in Hebrews 11:24-26 (NLT):
"It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.”
Today, let’s be encouraged to shift our perspective on what true success looks like and realize it’s not based on pleasures and avoidance of pain, but rather a life fully rooted in Christ.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know You are the provider of lasting pleasures and I ask not to get caught up in fleeting ones. Help me accept that pain is a pathway to growth, so I won't be worried about avoiding it. I pray I’d live a life that’s holy and pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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