Batter Up

This past weekend, as I enjoyed an NFL Playoff game, my wife placed an old, heavy, dusty shoebox on my lap. As part of her regular decluttering, she wanted to know if we should still keep it and its contents. Memories of my childhood quickly flooded back, along with nervous excitement as I realized what the box contained. In the box were hundreds of baseball cards I collected in the early 80’s. My son joined me as we quickly researched the value of my archive. Ricky Henderson, Cal Ripkin, and George Brett were recognizable names we started with. While some “mint condition” values pleasantly surprised us, I unfortunately don’t anticipate any radical change to our college savings fund any time soon.  

What makes a baseball card valuable anyway? Its age? Rarity? Celebrity status of the player? 

And who sets the value for a baseball card? An expert? Quality? Supply and demand?

God has made known our value in His eyes. He knew us in the womb at the beginning of our intricate design. He made us in His image and even counts the hairs on our heads. Our Father’s house is full of many rooms His Son is preparing just for us. It is clear how our individual value to God is immeasurable.

Perhaps the most valuable card I have ever owned as a child was the pitcher Nolan Ryan. But despite my recent detailed examination of my collection, I simply could not find it. My older brother must have manipulated one of his one-sided trades with me back in the day. No wonder I have so many worthless duplicates in my current collection.

But God’s collection of humanity contains no duplicates. Our Savior and Redeemer sacrificed His own life to purchase us out of the brokenness of sin. The Lord on High protects us from the enemy’s attempt to steal our identity. Our Good Shepherd pursues us individually when we go astray and leads us with sovereign safekeeping.

I doubt God has a giant shoebox full of “playing cards” of us with a favorite action photo plastered on the front. Rather, in His sovereign omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence, God automatically knows the intricate details of our very existence. After purchasing us through the blood of the cross, He keeps us in “mint” condition. Each of us can rejoice that we are part of God’s valued collection that no old shoebox could ever contain.