The young batter stepped up to the plate. Wrapping the bat over her shoulder, she poised to pound the pitch.
The ball whizzed towards the plate, and—POP—the crack of the bat echoed through the field. Flying backwards, the ball spun high into the sky out of play, but not before striking someone in the head. Hard.
The innocent spectator jumped up and screamed, unleashing a flood of unmentionable obscenities. The infield, outfield and off-field bystanders froze in disbelief, gasping at the R-rated poison pouring out of this person’s mouth—a stunning, verbal violation that made you feel dirty, like you needed to shower.
We were shocked! It was one of the grandmothers! Someone who tells people she knows Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Someone who goes to church. Someone who once told her granddaughter everyone cussed, even Christians. And now, here she was, living out her belief before the whole Little League and every adult spectator within screaming distance.
What’s Your Response?
The Bible tells us in Luke 6:45 that out of the abundance of our heart our mouth speaks. This grandmother’s personal allowance for profanity was disturbing, and in an instant, the inventory of her heart was revealed.
But let me ask you: In a moment of immense pressure or excruciating pain, what would your mouth pour out? Faith or fear? Praise or profanity? Would the abundance of your heart glorify God or lessen your influence and credibility as a Christian? After all, the world is watching and waiting for the moment when the inventory of your heart is revealed.
Glorifying Him
King David wrote in Psalms, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (119:11). It’s time to walk a higher walk, one of more dedication and self-sacrifice than ever before. He desires for us to set ourselves apart, away from all profane and ungodly actions and represent Him in all we do.
But the higher walk takes commitment to the Lord and His Word. Only then will we fulfill the complete and perfect will of God and live in the immense joy and blessing that He has planned for us. God knows what’s hidden in your heart, but would it glorify Him if the whole world knew?
