I heard a song last night by
Kenny Rodgers that grabbed my attention and the more I’ve thought about it the
more I’m moved and the more I've laughed. The song 'The Greatest' reminds me of the importance of perspective and its a funny little picture into maybe why I’ve
always heard that I should try to see myself as God sees me. But mostly, it reminds me of how God works all things to my good because I love him and I'm called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28) Here are the
words.....
Little
Boy, in a baseball hat Stands in the field with his ball and bat. Says I am the
greatest player of them all Puts his bat on his shoulder and he tosses up his
ball. And the ball goes up and the ball comes down Swings his bat all the way
around The world's so still you can hear the sound.....The baseball falls to
the ground
Now
the little boy doesn't say a word Picks up his ball, he is undeterred. Says I am
the greatest there has ever been And he grits his teeth and he tries it again. And the ball goes up and the ball comes down Swings his bat all the way around
The world's so still you can hear the sound....The baseball falls to the ground
He
makes no excuses, He shows no fears He just closes his eyes and listens to the
cheers. Little boy, in a baseball hat Picks up his ball, stares at his bat. Says
I am the greatest the game is on the line And he gives his all one last time. And the ball goes up like the moon so bright Swings his bat with all his might
And the world's so still as still can be And the baseball falls....and that's
strike three
Now
it's supper time and his mama calls. Little boy starts home with his bat and
ball Says I am the greatest that is a fact But even I didn't know I could pitch
like that. He says I am the greatest that is understood But even I didn't know
I could pitch that good.
We can probably think of more situations that didn't work out in our favor than the ones that did. If your like me, I want to ask why. "God, wasn't I good enough? God, don't you want me to be happy? God, don't you want me to be blessed?" So far, I'm still here. So far, God has known best. I've only been around 45 years so I'm no expert, but I'm still here. I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread (Ps 37).
The next time things don't go your way, think about the little boy in this song and ask yourself how God sees things right now.
God loves you and I do too,
John
