Talking Softball

In 2006 the Florida department of corrections was in state of crisis.  40 officials had been charged with crimes (charges from corruption and embezzling to abusing prisoners), 90 had been fired, and 280 had been demoted. When prison reformer James McDonough was charge with cleaning up the mess left behind, he first looked into the reasons that had lead to the mess and found an odd factor: inter departmental softball. McDonough said, "I cannot explain how big an obsession softball had become. People were promoted on the spot after a softball game to high positions in the department because they were able to hit a softball out of the park. The connection between softball and the parties and the corruption and the beatings of prisoners was greatly intertwined”. I am telling you this story not because I have anything against softball but to illustrate how ordinary, neutral things can become sinful when allowed to control our lives. 2 Peter 2:19 tells us, “for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.” Activities, hobbies, jobs, and even possessions, if allowed, can become obsessions that take over our lives and pull us from God into sin. What in your life is trying to take the place of God?