So Much More: Discovering the Generosity of God

One day, while shoveling down ballpark food and soaking up the ambience of the game from a fourth-row seat, I found myself in an encounter that brought a poignant shift in perspective. 
We unknowingly settle for less when there is so much more. 
In this episode, we explore this concept, drawing parallels between a day at the baseball game and our walk with God.

Transcript

Speaker 1 0:02

The other day I skipped work , skipped town and went to a baseball game . A friend supported this endeavor while sponsoring it , really by purchasing me a fourth row ticket to an all-inclusive area of the stadium . Now , what this means is there were three rows in front of me and I made sure to let my friend know . I felt his love , but also that that love wasn't of a first row variety Room to grow . I guess I ate a big free meal . And then I took my seat , chatted with strangers around me , read a paperback yep , i was that guy and watched my favorite team play some wonderfully boring baseball . It's the best kind , really . It was just this perfect day . Adding to this perfection was the food , not necessarily the quality . Food is food to me , especially ballpark food . What I'm talking about is the quantity . I'm of the financial position and disposition where the only food I eat at the ballpark has to travel there in my pockets . Even if I could afford a $7 bratwurst , i wouldn't be able to stomach it just the thought of spending that kind of money on a bratwurst . But included with my seat was the ability to order Anything . It would be brought to me for free . I was not a king , though those were seated in the first three rows , obviously . But I was easily a duker Baron , the prince of peanuts , the sultan of soda , the chief of cheeseburgers , the oligarch of overweight . It was a unique day away And I looked up and just like that , it was over , or nearly over .

Speaker 1 1:37

At the 7th inning they said there was a last call . So I hurriedly submitted a final order just before the cutoff Another soda , a bag of popcorn for my young heirs who awaited my return home , and a bratwurst for the car ride . I'd take the decadence to go , please . I got my loot and I left first class to re-enter general population . Hustling to my car to beat traffic , i tucked the popcorn under my arm like I was running back and I slid the bratwurst in my pocket so I could really swing my arm and get going Outside the stadium .

Speaker 1 2:10

Reality beckoned , it did so through the voice of a homeless man . Hey , can I have your popcorn ? That's what he said . Nah , this is for my kids , i answered . He looked unsurprised , unfazed , unseen , unknown . But here I walked over and thrust the bratwurst into his waiting hand . It was still warm . His eyes and smile noted the upgrade . God , i think is kind of like this , like . I wanted a $4 ticket . That was the price range I was looking at but I was given the fourth row and all the treasure that came with it . This man had wanted stale stadium popcorn because that was all he could see . He couldn't see the tart-away bratwurst that was fresh there in my pocket . We both got better treasures , but we both were content to settle . We both were unknowingly proximate to more . The reality that more was waiting .

Speaker 1 3:11

God is bigger than I think he is . If he's anything at all . He has to be bigger than I think he is . Regardless of how I size him up , he is mightier still . He is stronger , he's bigger , he is more capable . It has to be that way . I can't overestimate God , or he wouldn't be God Yet . I settle for the nosebleeds and stale popcorn When I have the love and grace , a bounding from the King of Kings , the creator of baseball , of bratwurst and everything in between . God , let me expect great things from you . Let me come before you boldly , not from my own standing or from my own standing , but because of your goodness , because of your loving kindness , because of your untethered grace . Let me live in light and life of your promises today And you and your provision . May I never settle because you're able Give me eyes to see your beauty and constant thirst for your better treasure . Amen , amen , amen .