Daily Devotion - Tuesday, October 25

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

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

Tuesday: Where is the ballgame?

By the time you read this devotion the World Series could be history. The Rangers or the Cardinals may have completed a sweep of their opponent. I do know that October 25 (tonight) is a scheduled travel day and I know that tomorrow’s home team is scheduled to be the Cardinals. (Go CARDS!)

In some ways the question “where is the ballgame?” can be reframed as we think about “Voices Shared,” the theme for Pastoral Care Week 2011.

Healing of self is tough work and I believe “inner healing” is where the true ballgame is! It requires diligent work. Sharing a personal story of pain with listeners who use a variety of lenses to examine the story is where we need to focus.

I believe there is a time and purpose for everything. Sometimes we need to examine medical questions, sometimes we need to examine psychological questions, sometimes we need to examine spiritual questions, and sometimes we need to have a multi-disciplinary approach to healing.

As you sit back and let the commentators take you out to the World Series ballgame (wherever it is), allow your spirit to do some work as you contemplate some of the healings that can happen in our global village. The healing begins when we decide to play hardball with ourselves.

Have a very good day.

A Prayer: Holy God, take me to the ballgames I need to play. Amen.

--Ben Keckler
10.25.11