The Bouncing Ball

Have you ever been to a sing-along where the words are projected on the screen and there is a bouncing ball that moves from word to word so you can sing along with the music? Maybe you are more modern and you have seen that on a karaoke machine. Many years ago, there was a program on television called Mitch Miller's Sing Along and as the orchestra and singers performed, the words were on the bottom of the screen along with the bouncing ball so you could join in with them in the comfort of your own living room. There were even some records put out with the music and words. I am talking about the vinyl LP records, not CD's, in case you were wondering.

It was always interesting to see how quickly we were trained to follow a ball that bounced from word to word, just leading us from one point or word to the next. The people who programmed that assumed we couldn't figure it out for ourselves which word to sing or say next. I guess if someone didn't know the music or words, had never heard it before, then it would be handy. Still, it was an easy habit to learn and since it brought fun and enjoyment, we all did it.

There are bouncing balls in our everyday lives as well. They lead us in different directions to different things. Sometimes the balls are people we know or meet. Sometimes they are things and sights that attract our attention. That ball has to start someplace and catch us, draw us to whatever is the real attraction. Our eyes and brains are attracted by motion and what moves will turn us to it. So, what was it that first caught your attention and brought you to God? Maybe you have always had him in your life because your parents made him a part of it from the very beginning. On the other hand, if you came to God as an adult, what attracted you? Who or what was it that brought you here? That event, that person, was your bouncing ball. It lead you one step at a time to where you are today. It wasn't luck or random chance; it was God calling you by catching your attention first.

Balls are meant to be thrown or rolled or bounced. Have you ever lead someone to God, to his Son, Jesus Christ? You were their bouncing ball. How have you been doing lately? Do you still bouce or are you just sitting on the ground. Balls are meant to be thrown, so have you told God to throw you back into the game so you can lead someone else to him? He will! So, get out there and start bouncing and see how many more people who can lead to his choir, to sing to his music, to follow the words in his book.