Spring Training
by Jerry Johnson, a friend and baseball hero to his children

I love baseball, especially spring training. It is so exhilarating to go out to the ballfield and watch the greats of the game as they prepare for the season. I also enjoy seeing the new acquisitions who are showing off their talent. Unfortunately, I have found that most people do not appreciate the game of baseball the way I do. They somehow have gotten the idea that baseball is a game whose outcome is decided merely by chance. In their opinion, little or no skill is involved and strategy plays no part. They seem to think that one player throws the ball and the other just closes his eyes and swings. What they don't understand is that a lot of detailed strategy is involved. The coaching staff has canvassed the opponent's lineup and they know all of the other players in and out. They know their strengths and weaknesses and are able to anticipate what each will do in any given situation. The coaches also need to know as much as possible about their own players. How far can they push them? Who hits a southpaw better? Who is a fast runner and has a better chance at a steal?

Defensive questions must be answered as well. Who will be the starting pitcher? When do we pull him off the mound? What if he starts to fall apart too soon? Who is his backup? Who will close out the game? Who do we pitch if we're ahead in the last inning? What if we're behind? What if the other team throws a string of lefty batters at us? Watching a truly brilliant coach work the dugout is exciting. Beyond the inflated salaries and egos, it's obvious that baseball is actually a game of planning, preparation and strategic defensive and offensive plays carefully orchestrated to produce a winning team. And it all starts anew each and every spring with a time of intensive training. Hence, spring training.

I'm sure that someone out there is thinking, "Okay, Jerry-boy (no, not Larry-boy).. .how does all this fit into a Christian magazine?" Well, if you can't figure that out then back to the Southern Baptists with ya, laddie! It's obvious! First of all, we need to take the time to study and learn the great laws of the game. We need to dedicate ourselves to the skillful use of every piece of equipment at our disposal. We need to make it our life's ambition to know our enemy better than he knows himself. We need to learn the strategies for victory that our brilliant coach has put into place. We need to rise up and take our children along with us to spring training. You see, if we only work as hard at living faithfully before God, coram Deo, (I did that for R.C.) as baseball teams work at being number one, then our opponent won't stand a chance.

Unfortunately, most professing Christians haven't been taught that they need to prepare for the game, that they need to show up (on time) and learn to work as a team. For many all they care about is that their name is on the roster. Attending worship services? That's optional. Sunday school? Too early. Sunday night? Too tired. Wednesday night? I'd miss America's Funniest Home Videos (Is that show still on?). Major league baseball players understand that practices are not optional and church members need to fully realize this as well.

A bit of internet wisdom recently caught my eye and I'm sad to say that I believe it sums up American life today. The observation was made that Americans "worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship." Because they do not take to heart Paul's charge to "bring every thought captive," Christians are missing that which will prepare them for battle.. .spring training. Spring training is a time to sharpen your skills. It is a time to review the fundamentals. It is a time to press in to the deeper things of God. It is a time to organize your equipment and make sure that your uniform is neat and tidy. It is a time to engage in "spiritual calisthenics" to work off some of the flubber which has encased your brain as you sat before the idiot box during the long, long winter months (Thought here: Why do they call it "television programming"? Who is being programmed?) It is a time to get rid of that spare tire that is hindering your actions. This was the essence of Paul's statement to, "study to show thyself approved" and we need this spring training every single day. Why? Because our enemies do not take time off. They
do not watch TV (Remember, they are the ones in charge of the programming).

Spring training can be conducted in our churches, but it especially needs to be conducted in our homes. Fathers need to hone their own skills, be determined to pass them down to future generations and diligently teach them to their little ones. Training times may even include readings from past and present assistant coaches like Augustine, Calvin, Spurgeon and Sproul! (We take a time out to plug R.C. Sproul Jr.'s book Almighty Over All published by Baker. Please make all checks payable to me:) and I will be sure R.C. gets them.) The words of these heroes of the faith help to motivate and encourage us. We also need to catechize our children and recite the Law of God until they know it by heart. We need to be faithful in our church attendance and let our children witness our submission to the godly leaders of the church. Mothers need to pursue the example of the Proverbs 31 woman instead of selling out to the gods of worldly success and material possessions. They need to be willing to give up their second cars and expensive vacations and teach their children at home, girding them up with the weapons of our warfare. Most of all, we need to be before the Lord Jesus asking for new players, foreign and domestic. And opening ourselves to the idea that the best place to recruit is by signing the contract in the marriage covenant/bed.