Daily Devotion - Thursday, October 29

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

World Series Week and Pastoral Care Week
Is it possible to create devotional reflections out of these two events?

“Teach me your way, O Lord. Lead me on a level path.”
-- A song from an ancient seeker

Thursday: Uncertainty

I’m writing this devotion about one week prior to the playing of the World Series. All I know at this point is that the Philadelphia Phillies will be in the series. Some of the things about which I am uncertain:
• Will the series be with the Yankees or the Angels?
• Will the series carry over into November?
• What town will game 5 be played in?
• Will the series go to five games?
• Will this be a “hitters” series or a “pitchers” series?
• Who is going to be this year’s Mr. October?

There is a lot of uncertainty today. This morning as I journeyed through the hospital I found similar tensions in the lives of patients and in the lives of staff. The uncertainties and the hopes weren’t about a baseball game; these feelings were about life and health. The emotional reactions of baseball fans in two great American cities mirror the emotions we deal with daily. Allow your spirit to do some work on the uncertainties and the hopes that are a part of your life. Try to imagine the necessary things for you to be filled with peace.

By the time you read this, the baseball season will be nearing the end. Hopefully you can sit back and let the commentators take you out to another game of the 2009 World Series.

Have a very good day.

Prayer: Holy God, be with me as I journey through my hopes and fears. Amen.

--Ben Keckler
10.29.09