One man slept in his reclining chair. An elderly gentleman, he woke to our singing with annoyance written all over his face. He was a captive participant forced to surrender or walk out of the room. He chose staying. With no expression showing, I sensed he was slowly tuning in to our reading — the foot washing of Jesus’ disciples. I emphasized the personal invasiveness of this activity and how it aggravated the disciples, especially Peter. However, the deep-reaching effect of Jesus loving actions penetrated them all, and also my elderly friend. He shook my hand and smiled brightly.
Our little team left the assisted-living home. It was raining so we ate at the restaurant. One of our fellowship group shared the good news of Christ’ redemption with our waitress. She started into tears. It touched her deeply.
I’m reading “The Baseball Brain” by Aaron Weinstein, M.A. Learning some “thinking” tips from players, I liked this one shared by a college hitter. Speaking with reporters he remarked, “I don’t know what you guys are talking about with only one double (one hit); I went four (hits) for five (at bats) today. I count all my hard hit balls as hits.”
If any know how the game of baseball works, only hit balls that result in the player gaining a base really count. This player instead, counted his “hard hit” balls; base gained or not. What was he doing? He was approaching more realistically what to focus on. Often folks are so “big results” oriented that they skip over the great value of the all important fundamentals. Realistically, you can’t control the results of hitting a baseball, but can try to do what you do best, hit the ball hard.
Translating this to Christian evangelistic thinking, a smile is precious, a shed tear, blessed. In fact, any inkling of God penetrating souls is enough. Did either of our examples receive Christ, make a profession, become a disciple? I don’t know. We focused on doing our best.
Moving on in the Testimony, we decided to knock on a few close-by neighborhood doors. Raining still, we took our umbrellas. Two men at separate residences prayed with our team to receive Christ. Did they get saved? Were they born-again? I don’t know for sure. We got their information and headed to the next Bible study at the church. I counted our efforts as “hard hits” nevertheless.
Bible study was sparsely attended. A homeless man wandered in late. A young man he was, and we had already started. A song, a short introductory message, and then I started my Bible teaching. I felt I must explain all “big” words for the sake of the new person. I wanted him to get something from what I said. I spoke about “hypothetical faith.” I read again from Jesus’ foot washing episode. I came to the part of Peter’s objection and Jesus’ response.
“If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”
Jesus was saying in effect, I cannot change, Peter, I cannot became someone or something else. You must adjust to Me if you wish to continue with me.
In closing, our homeless friend, a professing Christian, saw that he must live in the objectivity of Jesus person and His Words and actions. Feelings, opinions, guilty conscience, self consciousness, deceitful heart instructions, and all subjectivity must give way to Jesus’ and foot washing, right now. God is cleansing our walk.
So, what matters in our lesson of life? Don’t think of yourself and your work more highly than you ought. Think soberly, because all get a measure of faith. What means “Soberly?” — to be of sound mind; that is, sane (Roman 12:3).
Finally, any hard hit counts if done with curbed passions and in your right mind. We love people and these are our hard hits, God works in the results. love ya
- The Testimony - November 4, 2026
- Self-Esteem or Conscious of God’s Love? - October 19, 2026
- Stewards of the Mysteries of God. - October 7, 2026