HOLDING ON…In Spite of What Comes Against You!
With the 2019 World Series in the books, the internet is ablaze with the video of the Washington Nationals fan who allowed himself to be hit in the chest by a home run ball rather than let go of the beer he was holding in each hand.
Within hours of the event, the beer company made a commercial about the moment, t-shirts with his likeness were created and are being sold, AND he is being hailed as a hero.
Let’s be clear…I do NOT drink alcohol, nor do I condone its consumption, but I must admit, I felt a twinge of admiration for the man who’d made a split-second decision that he was willing to endure whatever pain was going to be inflicted upon him to hold on to what was important to him in that moment.
I was immediately struck with a question that I now pose to you:
What is worth holding on to in your life, in spite of what comes against you?
The answer to that question is worth considering because we know that each day that we live is filled with a constant barrage of things being thrown at us, and we must make a decision – Do we hold on to what is in our hand, or do we let it go to embrace or shield ourselves from what is coming at us?
I contend that there are things that we MUST hold on to REGARDLESS of what is being thrown our direction.
Here are a few from Scripture for all of us who are in church leadership, but also for all of us who are committed followers of Christ:
Titus 1:9 (NIV):
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Hebrews 3:6 (NIV):
But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
Hebrews 4:14 (NIV):
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV):
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
The words of Jesus to the church in Sardis should consistently ring in our ears. “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.” Revelation 3:3 (NIV)
In a few days, this baseball fan’s story will be a distant memory, but I hope the importance of holding on to the things that TRULY matter in life (and eternity) will remain in the forefront of our thoughts every day!