This winter, I enjoyed watching my grandson play basketball. In spring, I attended ball games for both grandsons—soccer and baseball.
It’s always interesting, and encouraging, to see how much the players improve over the course of the season. Initial games are slow and low scoring, but as the season progresses, skill increases and teamwork refines.
The baseball season for my oldest grandson has had its share of highs and lows. Sometimes the teams are evenly matched. Other times, one team hands the other a stunning rout.
My grandson went from his standard first base position to catcher. Then, last week, to pitcher. As I watched him play, I thought about how life pitches us high and low balls. At times, life pitches hit us and knock us down. Although we get to limp to first base, the hit takes its toll. And then, there are times when we swing and miss, or fail to swing because uncertainty or fear hold us in suspended animation.
Dodge the Pitch
What causes you to dodge a pitch, that is, an opportunity that comes your way? Do you hesitate because you feel unqualified or fear failure?
For you, hitting a pitch, instead of dodging it, might mean seizing an opportunity instead of second-guessing yourself out of something great.
Instead of immediately saying “no,” take time to assess and pray. What is the time requirement? Is this something God wants you to tackle with His strength and guidance?
Hit the Pitch
As a batter stands at the plate, one of the coaches usually yells, “Don’t swing unless you love it!” When the batter recognizes the pitch isn’t great and doesn’t swing, the coach yells, “Good eye!”
In life, we must decide, sometimes at the spur of the moment, when to swing at a pitch. Over the course of your life, requests for your participation, time, and talents will come and go. It’s up to you to determine if those opportunities are right for you and within God’s plans and purposes.
Saying “yes” to everything that comes your way may prevent you from doing something else, something more in line with your life path, skills, and talents. Learning to recognize an opportunity that is right for you requires knowing your strengths, believing God’s ability to empower you, and courage to take a leap of faith.
Throw the Pitch
In the writing world, a pitch is a concise overview of an article or book idea “pitched” to an editor or agent. The “elevator pitch” pares the pitch to a one-sentence synopsis of your idea, tailored as a zinger short enough to convey your topic on a brief elevator ride.
Expressing an idea or opinion, especially around a group of strangers, or those who intimidate you, takes courage and preparation. Fear of sounding stupid, or worse, being ignored, often halts forward motion. Yet failing to utilize a God-given download of words and ideas is a loss for you, and others.
So step up to the plate with a good eye, analyze the pitch, seize the opportunity, and take a swing.
“So seize any opportunity the Lord gives you to do good things and be a blessing to everyone, especially those within our faithful family” (Galatians 6:10 VOICE).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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