“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15)

My husband is a huge baseball fan; not of baseball only but a enormous fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Which means many hours during the summer are spent watching games, checking scores on his phone, and even driving to St. Louis to be able to sit in the stands and root for His team.

I am not a baseball fan, however one position in baseball is of interest to me. That is the role of the umpire. In the world of high technology and instant playbacks, it has not as of yet affected the role the umpire plays in this game. What this person does is make calls during plays. Their call is based on what they see, what they know to be true as outlined in the rules of the game, and most importantly their call is final. It is not up for negotiation or second guesses once it is made. In other words, the umpire is the final authority when it comes to baseball.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14)

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved…” Don’t you love that? What an expression of value assigned in Christ. We are chosen, holy and dearly loved. This alone should give incentive to be intentional with how we live; which is Paul’s aim—to contrast where we came from with where we are going as Christ’s life-giving Spirit changes us from the inside out.