“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14 NLT)
If you took geometry or perchance physics in high school, you would remember being taught about vectors. You learned, in these math and science classes, that vectors have magnitude, a starting point and an ending point, as well as direction. The force of the vector, in math can change or alter a line you draw of an object or diagram.
Let’s apply our vector quotient to the game of baseball. Imagine a very windy day at one of the major league stadiums. The wind is blowing in from the outfield towards home plate. The batter, known to be a homerun, hard-hitting player stands in the batter’s box waiting for just the right pitch. After a few balls and a couple of strikes, the pitcher hurls the “just the right pitch” which is traveling at 90 miles per hour. The batter swings his firmly gripped bat at the speed of 80 miles per hours. His eyes start to shine as if the ball increased in size. He swings and makes a solid connection with his old wooden bat, and the smashed ball is traveling at a speed of 110 miles per hour. (Put your calculator down and keep reading! Smile!). The ball is headed for the bleachers. The crowd is standing, shouting, and staring, ready to see a home run. The batter is happy. The crows is delighted. But what about the baseball? Well, the hard ball had to be bruised badly and if it could speak, I probably could not quote what it would verbalize verbatim! The batter touches first base and is headed for second, sure that he had hit a home run. However, a strong gust of wind, serving as a vector, causes the ball to fall short of a home run. Actually, it is caught, and the disappointed batter is called out. He is utters something! His lips cannot be read, but two syllables are spoken. I’m sure he must have said, “vectors!” Smile, again!
Let’s move from the youthful game of baseball to you. You have surely, literally experienced the vector effect when driving, playing golf, in sailing on fishing boats, and in flying aircraft. That’s literally. No for the figuratively. Figuratively, circumstances, crisis, confrontations, changed minds, criticisms, and commitment levels that crumbled, just to name a few, can change one’s spiritual direction.
Consequently, it is imperative that we look out for the vector effect on our Christian journey! Stay alert and counter any figurative vector you face with your enduring faith and your enlistment of the help of the Lord so that you can continue going in the right direction. The right direction for us, fellow believers, is always up! To help you stay conscious of that fact, look at the closing and opening verses. Have a super Saturday! Be blessed!
“Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2 NASB)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King