Spiritual Lessons from Moneyball—Part 2

There’s something to be said for taking a good hard look at what we’re doing in the church. What are we doing with our pulpits? What are we doing with our voices? It’s worth each of us asking ourselves, “What are you afraid of?”

In Moneyball, Billy Beane and Peter Brand are meeting with the team’s owner, Steven Schott. The team has been losing and is firmly planted in last place. Announcers are already talking about why Billy Beane needs to be fired.

Billy Beane: Look, Steve, I believe in what we’re doing. I believe the record doesn’t actively reflect the strength of this team or where we’re gonna be at the end of the season. Now, Pete and I here, feel very strongly that we stay on the track we’ve chosen.
Peter Brand: Our sample size has just honestly been too small…
Billy Beane: It’s early. It’s too early. Where do we expect to be by the All Star break?
Peter Brand: Our goal and our expectation is by mid-July to be within seven games first. That would be this working.
Billy Beane: That keeps us in the hunt. Exceptionally well.
Stephen Schott: By July.
Billy Beane: July.
Stephen Schott: And what’s gonna prevent you from accomplishing that? What are you afraid of?
Billy Beane: Nothing. That’s why we’re here, Steve.

Believing in God’s call should prompt us to have the same courage, the same almost irrational expectation that things are going to be successful. Because we believe.

Sometimes doing things God’s way will involve hard choices and things that look upside down.

Things that buck with tradition. Things that represent a new way and require a moment of assessing where … and whose…we are.

Are we going in tandem with God or are we headed away from His plan and His expectations? When we have that “come to Jesus” moment and realize we’re off-track, will we have the courage to make the tough choices regardless of what it does to our reputations in ministry?

Peter Brand: Billy, I think you need to take a minute. I think you seriously need to just think about what you’re doing, because you’re upset.
Billy Beane: Okay. What am I missing?
Peter Brand: These are hard moves to explain to people.
Billy Beane: Why is that a problem, Pete?
Peter Brand: Don’t make an emotional decision, Billy.
Billy Beane [to Peter as Beane takes a call to work out trading Pena]: Look, we’re gonna shake things up.

—
Peter Brand: Billy, Pena is an All Star. Okay? And if you dump him and this Hatteberg thing doesn’t work out the way that we want it to, you know, this is…this is the kind of decision that gets you fired. It is!
Billy Beane: Yes, you’re right. I may lose my job, in which case I’m a forty-four year old guy with a high school diploma and a daughter I’d like to be able to send to college. You’re twenty-five years old with a degree from Yale and a pretty impressive apprenticeship. I don’t think we’re asking the right question. I think the question you should be asking is, do you believe in this thing or not?
Peter Brand: I do.
Billy Beane: It’s a problem you think we need to explain ourselves. Don’t. To anyone.
Peter Brand: Okay.
Billy Beane: Now, we’re gonna see this thing through, for better or worse.

We’re gonna see this thing through, for better or worse.

Is that how you feel about your Christian convictions?

If not, are they convictions at all? Or are they Christian preferences, clichés, and whims?

Who are you afraid of? What are you afraid of? Why are you afraid when God is the One who assembled the team and is directing their role? Are there people in your church you’re too afraid to use? What does that say about your faith?

Do you believe in this thing or not? All of these are good questions for every Christian to answer.

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This series included 3 Lessons from Moneyball

Categories Articles and Devotionals, Devotionals | Tags: | Posted on February 28, 2014