I admit it… I love baseball. I know that it is a slow game and that some people might claim that it’s the perfect cure for insomnia, but I can’t help but watch a good, quality game in person or on TV. I don’t have a favorite team and find myself usually supporting the underdog in a particular game. It’s a fun sport filled with all sorts of mind games, what if scenarios, and possibilities.
Over the course of the past several years, I have had the chance to go games in Batavia, NY which features the short season, single A farm affiliate for the St. Louis Cardinals. It’s amazing how close you are to the action and how the players are ready and willing to sign autographs. It’s quite amazing. Some of these guys go on to be big league stars in the majors.
Just like with any sport, the players, managers, coaches, staff, etc. have to have a sense of discipline. There are things that you do with regularity. There are things that players been to blatantly avoid. There are some things that players can do on occasion that won’t threaten their health or playing ability – a sense of flexibility if you will.
Much can be made about one player’s discipline or routing over another’s, and there is no blanket system or strategy that works for everyone. The goal is what works best for you and grows your abilities in the game of life. Not everyone is the best or excels in the same area. It’s the same with baseball players. Some play long ball really well (hitting home runs) and others are better at small ball and simply getting on base. The same can be said with fielding and playing ability between first and third bases.
Spiritually speaking, much is made of what our spiritual gifts are in life. I have been in so many situations where there is much talk about who has what gift and what they don’t have. Some people will feel somewhat less spiritually, too, because their gift isn’t always treated with the same weight or impact.
It’s really not about who has what gift and what ability is the most important… It’s about the Giver of the gift or service or activity in the first place! In all the selfish talk of entitlement of who has what, we will often forget the Kingdom qualities and aspects that the Giver, God, wants us to use the gift for in the first place. The goal is bring others into the fold, enhance the Kingdom, and simply bring Him glory.
We are spiritual people, this cannot be ignored! You will have at least one spiritual gift on some level, sometimes more. Grow in this! If you are meant to bat cleanup, then bat cleanup. If you are meant to play second baseman, then don’t try to be a catcher or a pitcher. Take it for THE TEAM!
And remember… You won’t have all the spiritual gifts that are out there! How about that curve ball? Not all the gifts are meant for everyone.
Know and remember who you are. More importantly, remember whose you are!
Now… Go get ’em and be all that God has called you to be in the gifts that the great Giver has given to you!
Jay
A famous orceshtra conductor, after a performance at Madison Square Garden was asked by the media coverage what he thought was the most important piece in the whole orceshtra. He replied; "second fiddle."
Though this is not a flashy instrument, nor can be seen because the player sits in the lower second row it is the glue that keeps the rest of the orceshtra on track and playing correctly. The public eye might not have recognized this player, but the conductor did, and HE Knows its importance to the orceshtra and the devotion the player gives to making it sound wondeful for everyone else to hear and enjoy.
Your spiritual gift might not be the most up front and center gift there is, but it also might be one of the most important!!!