There is a certain ritual one may follow (if we have ever played the game of softball). Our perceived and established ritual, the way we prepare ourselves when we are standing in the on-deck circle, is the “way” we THINK is right.

This morning, around 5:30 am (USA time) and 11:30 am (Italy time), I watched a former student play softball. Her team, the Bulls, were not victorious, losing the game 5-3, but that’s not really the point needed today.

Consider a typical softball game (if you will).  See the players (the opposing team) out on the field.  Watch them closely, looking for certain character habits, for the way players lean toward the left or right, for the way players lead off running with their left or right legs……..Because you are on-deck, Up Next (to bat), and if you can connect with the ball, if you can hit the ball to your favorite outfield spot, where YOU THINK the other team is weak, and if you can get on base, then maybe, just maybe you might be able to score—-helping YOUR TEAM WIN.

• Truly……scoring wins the game.
• Truly……crossing home plate MORE times than the opposing team wins the game.
• Truly…..getting a hit and advancing around the bases for a chance to cross home plate WINS the GAME.

BUT………………
What if you see the opposing team’s weak spot,   &
What if you have “ritualistically” warmed up during your time of preparing yourself in the on-deck circle, what if you have repeated “exactly” the steps, just as you have done time and time again……..4 quick swings, 4 taps with your favorite bat on the ground inside the on-deck circle, bend down onto your right knee, scoop up a small amount of dirt to rub across the sweet spot on your bat—the exact spot where you need to connect with the pitcher ball—-& stood up to swing three half swings, as the teammate currently at-bat connects with the ball. Ritualistically…..you are ready. NOW, It is Your Turn to Bat.
As you step into the batter’s box, you sense an overwhelming amount of pressure, “as if” the entire game rests upon your shoulders, “as if” it’s now or never, & “as if” the world will end IF you don’t get a single, a double, or triple.
It’s your turn……standing in the box, facing the pitcher, realizing the catcher is down behind you, slightly to your right, and the umpire is standing just off your right shoulder, ready to call the pitcher’s balls as he sees them. 
You are ready; you are prepared; you are (as they say) PUMPED. 
Then, you eye the pitcher, just as she releases the ball, and (as it comes through the air) instead of keeping your eye on the ball, you look toward the outfield, toward the spot you “HOPE” the ball will land.
“STRIKE ONE.”
Okay, now you’re ready.  The pitcher releases a second pitch, and the ball flies closer to your head this time, making you quickly step back.
“BALL ONE,” the umpire calls to anyone paying attention. 
The count—1 STRIKE & 1 BALL.
“You got this,” your team yells from the dugout.
The pitcher winds up and releases a third ball toward home plate, and you know this is a great pitch, YOUR PITCH, but just as the ball comes close, you TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE BALL to look out toward second base, eyeing the place you HOPE the hit ball will land, as you swing the bat, drop your right shoulder, connect with the ball,…..barely grazing the underside of the ball, causing the ball to fly back (somewhere behind your head)……fouling out…..INSTEAD of connecting with the ball and NOT ALLOWING the ball to sail out into the centerfield (as you planned).
“FOUL BALL,” the umpire yells to anyone keeping count, an unnecessary shout, for the batter and the pitcher and catcher……they know……exactly the count.
2 Strikes    &   1 Ball.
Now, it becomes apparent to everyone that this next pitch is crucial.  As you stand there (inside the batter’s box), you begin to wonder—Will the pitcher throw a strike or will she throw a ball?

Truly It Really Does Not Matter.
The count—2 strikes and 1 ball.  There is one strike remaining, BUT……
Truly It Really Does Not Matter.

Here’s Why.
The count after the three pitches thrown: Two strikes.  One ball.  The next pitch will most definitely send you back to the dugout because you have established a terrible pattern, one that may never allow you to run the bases.

Every time the pitch comes toward you, the softball, the at-bat, the pressure to hit the ball, the warm-up to prepare, the EVERYTHING……Is already lost because of one single fact—–YOU TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE BALL.

INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON THE ONE SINGLE BALL COMING TOWARD YOU, INSTEAD OF MENTALLY FOCUSING UPON THE SINGLE-MOST IMPORTANT PURPOSE, YOU LIVE IN THE FUTURE, WHERE YOU KNOW THE BALL WILL LAND & NOT IN THE PRESENT, WHERE YOU KNOW YOU MUST BE (to hit the ball and get on base).

Playing the game of softball is really quite simple.
Keep your eyes upon the ball when you bat, keep your eyes upon the ball when you play the field, and keep your eyes upon the ball when your teammates are throwing you the ball. 
KEEP YOUR EYES UPON THE BALL……ALL THE TIME.

Walking the Christian Life is really quite simple.
Pray Always.
Study God’s Word.
Seek God’s will for your today.
Don’t overthink yourself. 
Believe & Trust God.
Follow God.
Obey His Leading.
Do Not Hesitate to Move, to Do as He Leads, to Speak when God Leads you to Speak, to Be Forevermore Focused……..to……..
KEEP YOUR EYES ON HIM…..ALWAYS.

The prophet Isaiah lived at a time when God’s children were oppressed and challenged and tempted.  (My how that description sounds familiar to 2021.)  The prophet Isaiah spoke to the believers living during that century, to the ones who felt the oppression, the challenges of the day, and the temptations, to those who just thought it might be easier to just throw up their hands in defeat.  Inspired by Almighty God, those were the people Isaiah spoke to when he said—-
“‘Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, ‘Who execute a plan, but not Mine,…’
“He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. 
Your ears will hear a word behind you,
‘This is the way, walk in it,’…”
(Isaiah 30:1  &   30: 20-21).

• Every Missed Opportunity To Share Jesus.
• Every Decision We Make.
• Every Obstacle We Suffer. 
• Every Battle We Face.
• Every Solution to Every Daily Issue…..Is Always Found In Keeping Our Eyes Focused Upon God…..Our Savior & Our LORD. 

“For thus the LORD GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
‘In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:  15).
“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His”  (2 Chronicles 16: 9).

The Christian artist Hollyn sings a beautiful melody—“Can’t Live Without You.”  In her melody, she sings these lyrics:
“I don’t know what I’m after/I don’t know what I’m doin’/I don’t know what I’m after/All I know is I’m lost/WITHOUT YOUR LOVE….”
“I CAN’T  LIVE WITHOUT YOUR LOVE.
What I want is….YOU./

What I want is….YOU.

What I want is….YOU.
What I want is YOU/
I can’t live without YOU (GOD).”

Today is a new day.  May we remember to keep our eyes focused upon God.