{"id":2766,"date":"2023-02-27T13:33:30","date_gmt":"2023-02-27T18:33:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/?p=2766"},"modified":"2023-03-30T18:23:06","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T22:23:06","slug":"curveball-principle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/devotional\/curveball-principle\/","title":{"rendered":"Curveball Principle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Curveball Principle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While reading the Word (specifically about all the contrary events surrounding Moses\u2019 birth) this morning, two words (and their definitions) were impressed upon my heart \u2013 there were some words that gave me a fresh perspective on our recent family \u201ctransitional\u201d experience (first published: 3\/31\/2014):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swerved<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The fact that God always allows the swerve to serve His Purpose as long as we are surrendered to Him is a truth seen all throughout Scripture. It must be there for us to learn something about our heavenly Father\u2019s heart behind His mysterious ways( Rom 8:28).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swerve:<\/strong> to change direction suddenly especially to avoid hitting someone or something;
to turn aside abruptly from a straight line or course : deviate<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deviation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Deviation can seem devastating \u2013 especially when things have been running monthly for awhile. Learning to see God\u2019s sovereign hand behind and beyond our circumstances is the real challenge! In our hearts, we are just feeling convinced that this is a Divinely Designed Deviation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deviation:<\/strong> an action, behavior, or condition that is different from what is usual or expected<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Curveball<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The calculated curveball pitched at us by the opposing team presents no difficulty whatsoever to God our Coach. He can make even the most untrained swing of ours connect with that ball in a way we never thought possible!<\/p>\n\n\n

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In the science of baseball, certain statistics reveal that \u201c\u2026the home run rate for curveballs is sometimes higher than that of fastballs, despite more fastballs being hit for home runs overall; relatively few curveballs are thrown up in the zone, but when they are, they are more likely to be hit for a homer than a fastball in the same spot\u201d<\/em> (http:\/\/www.hardballtimes.com\/what-makes-a-home-run-pitch\/).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God surely understands baseball, right? Is it any surprise then that our Heavenly Coach also knows that the swerve of a curveball can serve His purpose far better than if a normal pitch had been thrown? This \u201ccurveball principle\u201d is demonstrated all throughout God\u2019s Word. Here are just a few of the many examples God gives us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarah\u2019s barrenness trained Abraham to trust, and he is called the \u201cfather of faith.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pair of dreams God-given to Joseph \u2013 were dreams which landed him in a pit, in slavery, and eventually in prison \u2013 right into the very spot he needed to be to interpret pairs of dreams for others (while his own pair of dreams remained uninterpreted!). This amazing multi-leveled curveball pitched at Joseph led to the perfect fulfillment of his own dreams! Joseph never cursed the curveball \u2013 even to the very end:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good\u2026\u201d (Gen 50:20 NASB).<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
A death sentence upon all Hebrew baby boys results in Moses being protected and rescued by Pharoah\u2019s daughter \u2013 and his own mother being hired to be his personal nurse. A divine design that the very enemy of the Hebrews rescues the Hebrews\u2019 rescuer! God\u2019s Providence sees to it that Pharaoh pays full child support for the very child chosen by God to spoil the Egyptians of their riches (Exo 3:22; 12:36)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The very gallows built to execute Mordecai the Jew (Esther 5:14) by his hater, Haman, is used to hang its designer (Esther 7:9-10). But just before that execution, a frustrating sleepless night (no doubt caused by God) causes the Persian king to attempt to lull himself back to sleep by having a boring book read to him (Esther 6:1-9; 7:9-10) only to discover in that book a reason to exalt Mordecai \u2013 which he does by very hand of Mordecai\u2019s would-be executor! Now that\u2019s a twist turned to triumph!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Life\u2019s twists, swerves, and even its many untimely deviations can leave us groping in the dark. Clearly, though, these Scriptures are \u201c\u2026written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come\u201d (1 Cor 10:11 NASB).<\/em> For those who purpose to trust Him, that moment will surely come when His hand removes the scales from our eyes and what will be seen will surely amaze us! That morning light of dawn will come:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning\u201d (Psalm 30:5).<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
At just the right time \u2013 God\u2019s time \u2013 that \u201cmorning\u201d will dawn for those who endure the night with the sweetness of trust and the intimacy of love for Him:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory\u201d (1 Peter 1:8).<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Clearly, it\u2019s life\u2019s greatest mistake to curse the curveball or to hurl provocations at the pitcher. God is in all of it out of love for His dear children! Let the spectators boo the pitcher, but when that curveball is smacked out of the park, and the loaded bases empty out onto home plate, the catcalls will be drowned out by the roar of cheering! Let\u2019s roll with the divinely designed deviations that come our way; purposefully choke up just a bit on our bat; plant our feet with a strong confident stance through it all, swing at the swerve, and serve God\u2019s purpose upon our life for His glory!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pitcher, let your curveballs come!<\/p>\n\n\n
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