If you have played baseball or softball you know that when you are up to bat you have one of two choices. Stand and wait for a good pitch or swing at anything that comes by. Now, when we swing at anything there is always the problem of striking out. Missing that pitch all together. So, we take our chances with each swing.
But what happens if we just wait with patience for that perfect pitch. You know the pitch I am talking about. The one where you see the ball coming into the zone and you know it's your pitch. The one you have been waiting on to sail into your bat. The ball hits that sweet spot of the bat and you are off and running as the ball is soaring through the air.
Many times in our quickness to swing we hit the ball and feel the sting in our hands. When you feel that sting you know you should have waited. Hind sight seems to give us a sting sometimes, doesn't it? We want everything in our timing. We also want everything our way. We must remember we are not the one doing the pitching. We are the one learning to swing. Hm..maybe we would say, learning to wait.
Waiting on the Lord is not always easy. Learning that all things happen in His perfect timing takes patience. Even more so, it takes trust. We want what we want, but we must realize we don't always get things the way we want. God has other ideas. He sees every situation in our lives as an opportunity to soar into greatness. For us, sometimes that might mean missing a ball or two. There is a humbleness that comes from striking out. It too is a time of great learning.
That saying, "Practice makes perfect", is wisdom for our ears. We are a work in progress. Each and every situation in life gives us an opportunity to learn and grow. We must remember that when we reach heaven's gates we will be perfected in every way. That only comes from trusting the Lord and having faith. It's nothing we do on our own. We just stay focused on Him. Keep our eye on the ball and when He says, "Swing", we swing with determination and purpose. When we stand with confidence we can swing with a boldness that only comes from a belief that we can do anything if given the opportunity. God gives us that strength and courage to face each pitch. Sometimes those balls are coming in fast and hard. We gotta learn not to step out of the batters box in fear.
"I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:12-14
"Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." Psalm 27:14
We can find that sweet spot with Christ if we will just wait on Him. He has so much for us. Too many times we fail to see His purposes because we are in too much of a hurry trying to figure things out on our own. Just like swinging at everything. We must learn when to swing and when to wait for the next pitch.
Next time you hear, "Swing batter batter, swing", in your head, remember, you don't have to swing at every pitch. Wait on that perfect one made just for you. That ball will not be the only thing soaring. You will find yourself rounding those bases with a new found confindence that will carry you further than you have ever dreamed before.
Next time you hear, "Swing batter batter, swing", in your head, remember, you don't have to swing at every pitch. Wait on that perfect one made just for you. That ball will not be the only thing soaring. You will find yourself rounding those bases with a new found confindence that will carry you further than you have ever dreamed before.
