My husband has always loved baseball. These days we are often watching a baseball game. But years ago, my husband used to play baseball as well. When he was eleven, he was playing in the outfield in one particular game with the Boys Club. When the batter hit the ball, my husband came in behind the second baseman, in an attempt to catch the ball. He was close, but he got there a split second too late to catch it. The ball hit the ground first before my husband scooped it up. However, from the viewpoint where the umpire was standing, he thought that my husband caught the ball and initially called the batter out. But my husband spoke up and let the umpire know that he didn’t catch the ball. This story has always amazed me because my husband was only eleven years old at the time. I believe many children might not have spoken up in this situation. In fact, many of his teammates were mad at him for speaking up. And I also believe many adults might not have spoken up in this situation either. I am sure if the same thing happened today, my husband would still speak up. I admire how my husband always tries to do the right thing, no matter what the scenario is.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 tells us to “never tire of doing what is good.” While it’s important for all people today to be honest and live with integrity, I think it’s especially important for Christians. Other people are watching our actions and listening to our words. We have a responsibility to do what is right, because we should be a reflection of Jesus.

Paul wrote the words above in 2 Thessalonians. I believe Paul lived up to those words and never tired of doing what was right. But one thing I like about Paul is that he could also admit when he made mistakes. In Romans 7:15-20, he wrote the following:

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”

While it’s important for Christians to do what is right, we are human and might mess up at times. But the key is to walk this path of life in the Lord’s strength, not our own strength. We have the Holy Spirit living inside of us at all times. Sometimes we forget that and try to tackle life on our own. Be we don’t have to. God is always there, ready and waiting for us to let go and hand Him the reins. We have to fully surrender to Him and allow Him to have control of our lives. Then walking down the path of life will be so much easier than it was on our own. We will make the right decisions, speak up when we should, be honest, and walk with integrity.

© 2020 Bridget A. Thomas

Photo by Bridget A. Thomas