The Final Countdown

Imagine this. It's the bottom of the ninth inning in the very last game of the World Series. Your team has won three games, but the other team has also won three games. Your team is up to bat with the score tied 1-1. All you need is one home run and you've won the game and the World Series. You and your team have played their hardest tonight, and now you're up to bat. Your whole team is cheering like crazy for you; they are confident that you can do this. They are there for you when you need it most, which is right about now. You have done the same for your teammates as they have faced their own trials throughout the game. And then there are your fans. They aren't playing in the game, but they have come to watch and support you. They cheer just as loud as your teammates, and you're glad to have them there to support you, because you need all the support you can get. You're in foreign territory, and things can get ugly with all of those people against you. You take a deep breath and walk up to the plate. The pitcher looks at you with a gleam in his eyes that says "I'm going to strike you out." He winds up, and then releases the ball.
     "Steer-ike one!"
The pitcher winds up again and throws.
     "Steer-ike two!"
You take a deep breath. If you don't hit this, you have to go into a tenth inning. The pitcher looks at you with fiery eyes, and releases the third pitch. Your bat makes contact with the ball with a"crack" and you start running like the wind. The ball sails over center field and into the stadium. Home run! The crowd goes wild, and your team is whooping and hollering in the dugout. When you round third base, they pour out onto the field and surround you as you cross home plate. You did it. You won the game with the help of everyone around you. Your team, your coach, your fans, even the other team. But you won! The game is finally over.
     I use this analogy for two reasons. The first is because baseball is the only sport that I understand and care enough about to make an analogy out of. The second is because I feel like this is what the media fast had been like. But we haven't hit the home run yet. We are almost done with the game. Our team, all of the high schoolers, our coach, Matt, and our owner, Jesus, have been cheering us on as we all go through the game. Our fans, the people of the church sponsoring us as well as our own personal sponsors, have been cheering us on as well. They have watched us as we go through the game, each having our chance "at bat". But we are in foreign territory. There are many out there who have ridiculed us for doing such a thing as a media fast; it's just not a normal thing to do. And, to make matters more difficult, we're Christians. The other team can boo us all they like, but we have to keep playing the game. We have to turn the other cheek.
     This has been a very good experience for me. I have had my share of temptations, but the Lord has helped me resist them. I pray that He has done that for all of you, too. Three weeks down, one to go.