Didn't Know How Many Outs There Were

Last night, the Pittsburgh Pirates were losing to the Milwaukee Brewers 7-3 in the top of the 7th inning with one out and one player on first base when Pirates centerfielder Oneil Cruz stepped up to the plate. He hit a grounder to the third baseman Caleb Durbin, who then threw it to second base for the out.

At this point, Cruz was running to first base, and instead of running as fast as he could to get on base before the ball got to the first baseman for a double play, Cruz decided to slow down.

As he ran down the first baseline, he pulled back instead of running hard right through the bag, and the Brewers completed the double play to end the inning.

It was a confusing play that left people wondering if he was injured or if it was just a lack of effort and hustle, because with his normal speed, he had a good chance of getting on base.

However, the reason he slowed down was that he wasn't aware of the number of outs. After the game, Cruz admitted, "It was my fault because I thought there were two outs in that situation. That's why I let off running to first base."

Getting benched in the 8th inning, as his team went on to lose 9-3, provided a valuable lesson about always giving maximum effort and finishing out the run to first base. However, I also think it's a lesson about being aware.

Baseball players must be aware of their situation whenever they step to the plate. They have to know who is on base, who is coming up to bat after them, how many outs there are, and what the score is.

A lack of awareness can be costly, as it indicates a lack of focus and a limited understanding of what's happening in the game.

Not only is this a valuable reminder for baseball players, but it can also serve as a daily reminder for us to operate with awareness. As followers of Jesus, we need to be aware, alert, and focused, while also having a clear understanding of what is happening around us.

We should be aware of the situations we are stepping into, the needs of those we encounter, and trust God for clarity to know what is required of us. As we understand God's Word more deeply, we become increasingly aware of His character and His commands.

Psalm 119:18 (AMP) says, "Open my eyes [to spiritual truth] so that I may behold wonderful things from Your law."

The more we're aware of Him and His Word, the more we become aware of the sins in our lives that need to be confessed, as well as how to fight against the evil and spiritual warfare we face.

Ephesians 6:12 (AMP) explains, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places."

Also, each day, when we "step to the plate," we can seek God and know Him, and we’ll understand His will for our lives and be aware of everything He has given us to live the way He has called us to.

2 Peter 1:3 (NLT) tells us, "By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence."

Let's desire to be aware of His presence, His love, His glory, and His power, and not lack awareness of the Holy Spirit living within us.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) states, "Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."

Today, let's be reminded that a lack of awareness can be costly, so let's choose to grasp a deeper knowledge and understanding of God and the life He's empowering us to live.

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for my times of unawareness. I pray that You will open my eyes to see You more clearly, to understand Your Word more deeply, and be aware of Your presence and Your will. Also, please help me to be mindful of the needs of those around me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.