The Little Guys (Texas Rangers and Us)

Congratulations, Rangers! I am so excited that the Texas Rangers are headed to the baseball playoffs again this year. When the team failed to sign free agent pitcher Cliff Lee last winter after he led them to wins in both the division series and the league championships, I wondered how they would fare this year.

I love the fact that they are back without a heralded ace. Their starting pitchers have been wonderful, far surpassing their efforts a year ago. The five consistent starters have all won 13 games or more this year. CJ Wilson has truly stepped up as their ace. It has been an amazing year with over 90 wins for only the 5^th time in team history.

So, how does this relate to our faith?

We in the American church fall into wrong thinking when we suggest that God needs superstars and big names to draw a celebrity-crazed population to faith. We forget that salvation is a God-thing, and he is seen more clearly when he works through the average Christian, the unknown, the little guys—like you and me. We work hard to prepare and be ready, just as baseball players do. We seek friendships with those outside the church, and we simply love them and talk about our faith.

“Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame and wise” (1 Cor. 1:26-27a).

We have the Spirit, just as a celebrity does. We have the power of the gospel. We are the hands and feet of Christ. Let’s trust God to be at work and share his love with those around us!