“…complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
– Philippians 2:2-3 (ESV)

The Hill, a movie about the life of Rickey Hill, has captured the hearts of baseball fans everywhere. Hill’s incredible story exemplifies the power of dreams and the strength of the human spirit. Rickey grew up in Texas during the 1960’s, the son of a struggling Baptist preacher and his wife. He wore leg braces due to a degenerative spinal disease and doctors held out little hope that Hill would ever walk normally. He was often bullied and discouraged by other kids. But Rickey had a passion for baseball! He felt that it was God’s calling for him to one day play in the major leagues. At the age of 4, he began hitting rocks with a stick, sometimes for 16 hours a day. Rickey kept his mind focused on the prize and soon was known as “Home Run King” by the other boys. At 18, he was invited to a three-day tryout camp where 700 teenage players competed for a chance at the big leagues. Hill put on an amazing display of hitting that led to his signing with the Montreal Expos. He played in the minors for four seasons before his body gave out. His faith, perseverance and passion took Rickey Hill on a journey others thought was impossible.

As Christians, we will not always think and act alike. We are not robots. While we are expected to agree on the fundamentals of the Christian faith, it is a given that there will be a great difference of opinion on some of the details. We should however, be like-minded and passionate about seeing things as Christ would see them and responding as He would respond. We should have a passion to show the same kind of love to others that Christ has shown to us. We should put our selfish ambitions aside and work together in harmony with others. Christ counted our salvation more important than preserving His own life. Is it possible to replace the values of the world with the values of heaven? In humility and love, we must passionately pursue the challenge.

Heavenly Father, help me to be passionate about heavenly pursuits. Give me the desire to see things through Your eyes and to respond to situations the way You would. Keep me humble O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.