Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.” — Habakkuk 2:2

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays could have used a runner last night carrying a tablet around the stadium that read, “Enough, already!” It was Game 3 of the World Series and when I checked the score it was tied 5-5 in the ninth inning. I talked Marti into watching it with me under the pretext that it would be over very soon. Marti is warming up a little to baseball but she still thinks watching the game, especially on TV is a little like watching paint dry. But this was no ordinary game, this was the World Series for goodness sake, and the fact that it was tied in the ninth surely guaranteed an exciting finish.

But then it was the 10th inning, and then the 11th, and then the 12th, and Marti was getting a little impatient. “Just one more inning,” I told her. “Something’s going have to give somewhere.” But then it was the 13th, and then the 14th, and then the 15th. That’s when we decided I would root for the Blue Jays in honor of our Canadian friends at the Catch and she would stick with the local team. I’m not particularly fond of the Dodgers anyway in that I’m a fanatic Angels fan. Besides I liked thinking of our Canadian friends and connecting with them in my mind — people like Steve and Colleen, and Drew, and Richard, and Willard, and Aileen, and Elizabeth, and Deborah, and Peter, and Daryl, and Thomas, and Tamara, and Bruce, and William, and Alma, and Evange, and Robert, and that’s just the ones I know about. And then I’m feeling for the ones in the Toronto area for whom it is getting to be two in the morning, because now it’s in the 16th and then the 17th inning and those who have been with this all the way have now seen the equivalent of two full games.

And finally, in the bottom of the 18th inning, Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers mercifully ended it with a home run. It was the longest game in World Series history — six and a half hours. It finished at 2:30 in the morning in Toronto. By the 18th inning, you were starting to feel sorry for whoever had to eventually lose this game. I’m sorry Canada. Both teams deserved to win. But at least at this point in a best of seven series, you can still say: there’s always tomorrow.

So what does all this have to do with Habakkuk 2:2? Well actually, a lot. God’s answer to Habakkuk is similar to the answer everyone watching that game last night had to employ: watch and wait. “If it seems slow in coming,” God told Habakkuk, “wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” — Habakkuk 2:3. Good advice, too, for getting through an 18-inning game.

Habakkuk had a complaint with God over how He was using an evil, pagan nation to punish Israel and letting the pagan nation get away with it. Well we know from history that God eventually punished the evil pagan nation and restored Israel to prominence, just not right away. And God did not want to divulge His whole plan to Habakkuk. He just wanted Habakkuk to watch and wait and trust Him to do the right thing at the right time. How often has God asked you to do that very same thing?

And there’s something else about Habakkuk 2:2 and that has to do with the message. He was told to write the message plainly. That means don’t complicate it or confuse it because it’s important that the correct message gets out. So write it down plainly and run with it.

Our message is a beautiful one and it is simple. It’s Grace Turned Outward. God’s grace as expressed by Christ on the cross providing forgiveness and mercy to everyone. And once we have it, because it is free, we want to give it out in the same way it came to us. When we have it, we want everyone to have it. That’s a message worth carrying everywhere we go. Write it down and run with it!

Go Blue Jays!
Go Dodgers!

INTRODUCING THE CHAIRMAN OF OUR FALL ANNUAL CAMPAIGN:

Herb Hellums

Herb hails from the great state of Mississippi and has been with the Catch since the beginning. Herb’s leadership has kept us in the forefront of online ministries and consistently inspired us to go farther and higher. His support of our MemberPartner program has made that program sustainable. We owe much to Herb and are excited to have him chair this campaign. More from Herb later.

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To the Catch Community,

We live in uncertain times. The prophet’s job is to remind God’s people: God is right on time. For the next 30 days, the Catch is running “Eyes Wide Open” — a daily call to watch, listen and act. Our “Eyes Wide Open” booklet in support of each day’s Catch article, including a short Scripture, a brief reflection and a practical step, is available here for download. Will you join us? CLICK HERE to download your booklet. Let’s be the Church that’s awake — not afraid, but ready.

Here’s is today’s entry. Don’t miss this opportunity to interact with the study.

Devotional:
The word of God isn’t meant to sit on a shelf. It’s meant to run. God tells Habakkuk to write it down clearly — so others can carry it. The gospel is simple enough to live by, strong enough to transform, and urgent enough to share. What one truth will you carry this week? Write it down. Live it out. Pass it on.

Prayer Prompt:
God, help me live out the truth with clarity and courage.

Action Step:
Write down one sentence of the gospel you want to live by. Send it to a friend and invite them to pray about it with you.