Ralph Bunche was up to bat, score tied, last of the ninth. Bunches batting has been below par in this game. It's time for a hit. Bunche is set, and the pitcher begins his pitch. Out of the corner of his eye, Bunche is again attracted to that little red hat in the stands. "Strike one." Bunche talks with himself, "Forget about the red hat and concentrate on the ball game." The pitcher is again set, and there is the red hat "strike two!" Bunche rearranges his feet, sets himself to face the pitcher, clears his mind of the little red hat. The pitcher begins his wind-up, and Bunche takes a last-second glance at the little red hat . . . "strike three, you're out!"

Christians often have too many little red hats to distract them from the performance that Christ demands of them. Comes time for worship, and the little red hat comes into their vision. Time for visitation, another little red hat. Time for sacrifice, a great red hat!

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of faith. . ." (Hebrews 12:1-2). "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth" (Colossians 3:2).

Truth Magazine XIX: 42, p. 662
September 4, 1975