Jimmy Rollins' Calf...

...is unimaginably less important than his soul.

I was inclined to feel bummed when I heard J-Roll would probably be out for a few weeks with a strained calf. The Phils' are off to a great start, and Rollins had looked terrific in the first week of the season. I hope the injury doesn't affect Rollins' productivity, or the Phillies' early success.

But I was quickly reminded of Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5, which I preached on a few weeks back: "From now on, we regard no one according to the flesh..." The above paragraph regards Rollins only according to the flesh.

He is more than a baseball player, isn't he? He's a human being made in God's image, who will spend eternity either enjoying God's presence or experiencing His righteous judgment. If I care about Rollins' productivity on the field, shouldn't I care infinitely more about the condition of his soul?

I should not assume that simply because Jimmy points his finger to the sky after a base hit, that he knows Jesus in a saving way. And even if he does, should I not be more concerned for his Christian witness as an athlete than how many weeks he will miss with his injury?

So yes, hurry back Jimmy. You're a big part of Phillies' history, and you make them go day in and day out. But if it's not done in Christ's name and for His glory, it's all in vain. So my preeminent concern for you is not when you return to the Phillies' lineup, but that you know and love Jesus above all things.