Knuckleball or Knucklehead?

I was recently watching a documentary called "Knuckleball." In it, were a variety of pitchers who tried - some of them out of sheer desperation, as a means to gain opportunity to play ball in the major leagues. What exactly is a knuckle you may ask? For a good non-visual explanation I will rely on Wikipedia. "A knuckleball or knuckler is a baseball pitch thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight, causing an erratic, unpredictable motion. The lack of spin causes vortexes over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change directionand even corkscrewin mid-flight. This makes the pitch difficult for batters to hit, but also difficult for pitchers to control and catchers to catch; umpires are challenged as well, since following the path of the ball makes it difficult to call balls and strikes." Tim Wakefield was one of the greatest knuckleball pitchers. He recently retired after a great career in major league baseball. The fact is though there are others out there who used this type of pitch, it takes a lot of time and patience for it to be developed properly. In today's society of "I want right now," this kind of pitch may become very rare. Only R.A. Dickey - on the N.Y. Mets - is the only other true knuckler out there at this time. So what does a near extinct baseball pitch that was used by so few with good success have to do with Christianity? The main thing that I researched was that aside from technique and patience acquired during it's development, it relies on airflow for it to dance or erratically curve during the throw. The answer for this pitch seems to be right movement combined with air movement for it's ultimate success. And according to physicist Robert Adair, due to the physiological limitation of human reaction time, a breaking knuckleball may be impossible to hit except by luck." Yet, if a knuckleball does not change direction in mid-flight, however, then it is easy to hit due to its lack of speed. So all things must come together for it to work effectively. That same theme sounds familiar. Look at the Apostles. They were instructed by Jesus before his departure to wait upon the move of God in Jerusalem. "And [Jesus] said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name

among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." Luke 24:46-51 So while waiting they were in the upper room praying with one accord. They were looking to God for an answer to their prayers. Did God disappoint them. No. He always fulfills his word. What happened in Jerusalem in 33 AD to the obedient servants of the Most High God? "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:1-4 The Apostles were obeying the scripture, " Occupy [your time] until I come [back]" made by Jesus in Luke19:13. The Apostle Paul puts it this way. "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16 We are not to be idle, wasting our time like a simple minded knucklehead but instead redeeming or buying back time, because evil is all about us. We are to be about our Father's Business. See Luke 2:49. We see that the disciples of God were at appointed place and sought after God, then after waiting the spirit moved upon them. This is the formula for success. Is this a rare occurrence or does God often work this way? We know that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" in Hebrews 13:8. In the Old Testament we find this statement. "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Malachi 3:6 So this is a regular way that God often times works with mankind. This same formula is seen later on again in the book of Acts. "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work where unto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." Acts 13:1-3 And what happened after Paul and his companion left to preach to all nations, to Jews first and then to the Gentiles? The greatest movement of God that had lasting effects even to this very day. What Christian has not heard of Paul's preaching or letters? His ministry covers much of the New Testament. What is the will of God for your life now? Arise be baptized washing away your sins by faith in the name of the Lord Jesus. Repent, believe and become baptized in the only saving name of Jesus. Scripture references are Acts 22:16, Acts 2:38, Luke 24:45-47, Mark 16:15-17, and Acts 2:36-42. Then walk in the light; studying, praying and seeking God at all times. This is the Acts of the Apostles formula for success. Indeed, as it reflects the same formula of success found and used in the Old Testament as well. "This book of

the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3 Will you trust ye in the Lord for ever and with all of your heart? Or will you lean to your own understanding, which fail you in your time of need? I pray that you walk after the way that God has plainly set forth. The way of the sinner is hard and difficult; but joy and peace is to be found in the way of the Lord.