Finding Joy When You're Down to Your Last Strike
Have you ever watched a baseball game where everything seemed lost, only to witness an incredible comeback? In 2011, I watched the St. Louis Cardinals face the Texas Rangers in Game 6 of the World Series. The Cardinals were down by two runs in the bottom of the ninth, down to their last strike. But with one swing of the bat, David Freese hit one off the right field wall to score two runs, and the Cardinals literally came back to life. They went on to win in extra innings and eventually claim the World Series title.
Life often feels like we're down to our last strike. The pressure builds, hope dims, and joy seems impossible to find. But I've discovered something powerful: when we're under pressure and maybe we feel like we're down to our last strike in our own lives, it's the value of knowing Christ that gives us reason to rejoice.
Finding Joy in Prison Cells
One of my favorite places to turn when I need encouragement is the book of Philippians. Often called the "Joy book," it was written by the Apostle Paul while he was literally imprisoned. Imagine that—writing about joy from a dark, damp dungeon!
Paul writes in Philippians 3:1, "Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord." This isn't just a cute self-help quote or an inspiring Instagram post. Paul was living a "down to his last strike" sort of life. He didn't know what would happen next or when his life might end. Yet from that place, he encourages believers to rejoice.
The Infinite Value of Knowing Christ
Why could Paul rejoice despite his circumstances? He explains in Philippians 3:7-8:
"I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything is worthless when compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake, I have discarded everything else, counting it as garbage so that I could gain Christ."
The word "garbage" here is actually a cleaned-up version of what Paul wrote. If Paul were a cursing kind of man, he probably would have used a stronger word! Can you imagine the apostle Paul wearing one of those shirts that says, "I love Jesus, but I cuss a little"? That's how strongly he felt about this.
Happiness vs. Joy
Happiness is walking into Busch Stadium in St. Louis for that first spring game—feeling the breeze, seeing the green grass, hearing the chatter of the crowd, smelling the popcorn and hot dogs. That's my happy place. It's even happier if the Cardinals win! But it's not fulfilling. It's just a happy moment.
You don't need help learning how to be happy. Happiness just comes when your team wins or when your toddler says something cute. But happiness doesn't last forever.
As I heard a pastor say in college, "You don't need another vacation to find rest. You need more of Jesus to find rest." That really stuck with me. Jesus offers something different. Joy is deeper than happiness.
Three Ways to Rejoice
So how do we rejoice? Here are three practical ways:
1. Rejoice in the Small Things
Whatever happens, small or large, rejoice. Maybe it's as simple as waking up for another day—rejoice! You have an opportunity to walk with God. Maybe you have a tough conversation coming up—rejoice! God will walk with you through it.
2. Rejoice in Your Blessings
Remember and thank God for what He's already provided. Thank Him for what you have and for all the things He's already walked you through in your life.
3. Rejoice in the Lord
Rejoicing can be physical—it's not just an internal attitude. You can't just have a good attitude and win games; you have to train, practice, and put into play what you've learned. Rejoicing might look like prayer, keeping a gratitude journal, seeking community with other believers, singing out loud, or crying out to God.
Death Always Leads to Resurrection
Paul concludes in Philippians 3:10: "I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead."
Following Jesus doesn't promise an easy life, but He promises to be with us through it all. As John Mark Comer writes in his book "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry": "In the way of Jesus, death is always followed by resurrection."
When we lay down our comforts, preferences, pride, hardships, worry, and anxiety—when we die to self—that sort of death is always followed by something much more beautiful and life-giving.
Putting It Into Practice
The pressure you feel in life has already been put on Jesus. Through His life and crucifixion, He experienced every pain, suffering, and hurt we will ever face. And He did it to give us access to God the Father, freedom from sin and death, and life to the full.
Today, will you make a choice that could change the trajectory of your game—your life? Will you let go of whatever you've been holding onto, release the pressure, and instead trust and rejoice in Jesus?
Remember, even when you're down to your last strike, with Jesus, there's always hope for a comeback.