The Grit of the Rays and the Church

Let's tip our hats off to the Rays. To not roll over and die after blowing a 7 run lead in Game 5, and then losing game 6, then give up a 1 st inning homer, then bring in a pitcher, who just got called up to the big leagues in the middle of September, with bases loaded in Game 7. Crazy.

It takes more than just physical ability to accomplish the feat of beating the Red Sox. A team has to be mentally skilled to do what they did. During a post-game interview with Garza, he was asked if even in the back of their minds they were dwelling on their past two losses. Did you or any of you have the slightest bit of doubt about winning game 7? He answered matter-of-factly, "No, not at all."

As a fan, I wasn't even mentally tough enough to watch the game (though I did watch it fully when the Bucs game ended), feeling that the Rays' relievers were going to blow it when they got the chance. And they probably would have if the rookie didn't come out to pitch.

The Rays modeled a special grit and perseverance which the church ought to embrace. Especially when building or rebuilding a church. Regardless of "odds" or what people might say from the outside, the church can't allow doubts to get in the way of it moving forward in discipleship and outreach. We can't feel helpless, much like I did as a fan of a team who had just lost two games in a row. Instead of being passive, or assuming the worst, a church which confidently embraces its vision will not be distracted by losing big leads or back to back games (people and resources). That church will actually look forward to playing and winning their proverbial game 7 (church health and concomitant growth).