Friday, October 5, 2012

Pirates


Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” Proverbs 27:1

I would call this passage, the “Pittsburgh Pirates” passage.

On August 8, the Pirates (my second most favorite team) were 16 games above .500.  It was thought, confidently so, that the record string of 19 straight seasons with a losing record was coming to an end.  Not just that; the Pirates were deep in the playoff hunt, so there was much speculation about who they might face in the playoffs, and even how deep into the playoffs they would go.  There was the hint of World Series fever in Steeltown.

Then came the remainder of August.  Abysmal.  Followed by an even uglier September.  And an epic collapse.  Without dwelling in the gory details, the Pirates finished 79-83, four games under 500.  And they reached the much un-coveted 20 years of futility mark. 

A few years ago, Veggie Tales put out a movie called “The Pirates That Don’t Do Anything.”  I did not realize that it was a baseball film.  My goal is not to rag too much on the Pirates, I like the team, and PNC Park in Pittsburgh is the crown jewel of baseball fields.  I love going there. 

My point is this – “do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” You have today.  It is a gift from God.  Make plans, sure, but understand that God controls what your future is.  The good news, if you are in Christ, you can count on that future being grand. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.   Take notice. It is the plans that God has for you.  They may not be your plans, and getting to that prosperity (whatever it may be) may be an uncomfortable road to travel.  But the Lord does want his people to have “hope and a future.” Count on that!

That might even include the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Next year.

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