Batting 1000
Friday, April 3, 2009 at 11:00 AM 
My son Max is playing baseball for the first time ever. I've never been much of a baseball player... or fan for that matter. Of course, growing up, I learned to root for the Chicago White Sox... GO SOX!
So during the first regulation game of the year last week, Max walked his first two at-bats. In actuality, he got 2 RBI's for that as well. :)
Ok - it's his third at bat and I tell him, "Max, if it's even close, you gotta swing. You didn't get into baseball to walk." He took a couple of pitches, STRIKES! A couple more, balls. MAX - SWING! And swing he did. He cracked a line drive into the outfield, getting a double and driving in 2-3 more runs. That's right, A DOUBLE! It was probably the best or 2nd best hit of the day (for both teams).
Here is the video... (if you don't see the video, click here)
Batting 1000 from Barry Smith on Vimeo.
So I tell Max that he needs to continue to swing. You gotta swing. I'll still love you if you never hit the ball again. It's ok. Everyone strikes out. But you gotta swing. Baseball is not about walking. And then it dawned on me... that is almost exactly like our spiritual walk. If Max were to keep swinging and strike out every time, I would still love him. But I would encourage him to take up another sport, like Basketball.
You have a gift. God gave it to you. And it is to be used. Some of you WANT your gift to be something like, say, singing. But it's not! You can't sing... and you keep striking out. God still loves you... you just need to pick another sport... another area of ministry. Don't force it.
I suppose the point is to keep swinging until you find your sweet spot. And then get a laser focus on building the kingdom in that area. Listen, the team is counting on you. The kingdom must be built and be built quickly. Time is running out. Have that sense of urgency and keep swinging!
Reader Comments (1)
He's a D-BACK!!! :-)
Great hit! Dad must be proud.