It's Not Sustainable

Through their first 36 games this season, the Boston Red Sox have gone 21-15 and far exceeded almost everyone’s expectations. They have shown an elite ability to put the ball in play with guys consistently making contact and getting on base. 

With 14 come-from-behind wins, their offense has produced in different ways, with multiple players contributing. Masataka Yoshida and Justin Turner have especially stood out, while Triston Casas, Jarren Duran, Connor Wong, and Enmanuel Valdez have also been key to the team’s strong start.

The question becomes, will the Red Sox be able to continue winning?

Tom Verducci explores this in an article on SI.com with a sub-headline that reads, “After a last-place finish, the Red Sox have been able to reinvent themselves as a plucky team of overachievers early into the season. But the way they are winning is not sustainable.”

Verducci further expresses his concerns by writing, “Red Sox starters are 13–14 with a 5.89 ERA. Only the Royals, Reds, and A’s have worse starting pitching than Boston."

He adds, "No team in today’s game can hit enough to cover poor starting pitching. Not the Red Sox, especially when their offense relies on so many players still establishing themselves. For now, they have a hot hand.”

In other words, so far, the Red Sox have been able to win with their hitting and get away with poor starting pitching, but it's not likely sustainable. 

I believe this can serve as a challenging parallel for us today when it comes to what's sustainable in life. Some of us try to “win” in life with our own strength, attempting to control things and juggling too much at once. We hit the ball all over the field, so to speak!

Although we get away with being busy and self-reliant with a "hot hand" for a while (sacrificing our sleep, health, and even relationships), eventually we discover "the way we are winning is not sustainable." 

When our lives become unbalanced, we get burned out, and according to God's Word, we need proper rest. Psalm 127:2 (TLB) explains, “It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest.”

The "all hitting, no pitching" approach to life doesn't last long, and we must let go of overworking and self-reliance as we realize we can't keep doing things on our own.

Thankfully, we can “keep winning” by living a fruitful life with eternal purpose and a good balance when we fix our eyes on Christ and fully rely on His strength and His guidance. 

Jesus says in John 15:5 (NLT), ”'Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.'”

Another parallel for us to consider is how some people try to get away with habitual sin or hide parts of their lives from others…for now. They think they’re “winning” while the sin is enjoyable, and they're not dealing with the consequences, but ultimately, “the way they are winning is not sustainable.”

Proverbs 24:19-20 (CSB) tells us, “Don’t be agitated by evildoers, and don’t envy the wicked. For the evil have no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”

Luke 8:17 (CSB) warns, “For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and brought to light.”

In baseball, winning without strong starting pitching isn’t sustainable. Likewise, sinning in secret isn’t sustainable, nor is self-reliance and busyness.

Today, let’s admit our weaknesses and confess our sins as we ask God for forgiveness and strength to move forward with His winning formula. As we abide in Jesus and rest in Him, we have everything we need to sustain a life of faith and obedience.

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

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me abide in Jesus because I know I can do nothing apart from Him. Forgive me for the ways I've operated and the unsustainable patterns in my life. Please show me the best path forward as I choose faith and obedience. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:

 1. In what ways do you realize certain aspects of your life are not sustainable? 

2. What secret sin needs to be brought into the light, or what previous sin patterns has God brought into the light?