Major League Baseball player, Frank Robinson, coined the phrase, “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades” during a Time Magazine interview in 1973. Robinson was familiar with the fact that baseball is a game of exact stats and not close shortcomings. No matter how close the players get to achieving a win, a close loss is still a loss.
Frank Robinson was just short of achieving 3,000 career hits before injuring his shoulder and retiring with 2,943 hits instead. Robinson also ended his career prematurely as Cincinnati Reds second place all-time home run hit leader. His 21 season career ended in fourth place for most home runs in history, only surpassed by the greatest including: Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and Willie Mays. Robinson knew and felt the repercussions of the term “so close” all too well!
Along with Mr. Robinson, life can make us feel just short of victory. Proving ourselves worthy to be the best, but never quite reaching the top. Robinson’s stats were right up there with the best baseball players in history, but lacking the legendary reputation. Why do we allow earthly contributions and achievements to determine our chosen notability?
Instead of humanistic praises and promotions, we should focus on our chosen purpose as believers in Christ. God hasn’t chosen us based on our amount of hardware that will tarnish and fade in the fire. He hasn’t chosen us based on our strengths or placed performances. As believers, we never have to beg or desire our father’s attention and acceptance. We are perfectly chosen in the merit of salvation by faith through Christ. Not because we are good, not because we are great, but because he is gracious.
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:7-10 KJV
