New York, NY 2007: Yankee standout, Derek Jeter, rarely makes a poor plate appearance in his game of baseball. Of course, in the pre-game batting cage with fan interference from Arianna, this Tussaud Jeter probably won’t be himself. For disciples of Jesus, we need to make strong plate appearances and wow the world with how we come to play on all occasions to the glory of God and for nary a penny.
From Trent Ling:
This ministering letter to would-be ministers requires some minimal knowledge of the sport of baseball, which requires such outstanding and highly developed skills that the financial payoff for its professionals stands well beyond salaries in all other sports. No doubt, one of the most difficult of tasks is hitting Major League pitching. Seemingly, before the batter can even think, the pitch has already whizzed past. Witnessing a good at bat beautifully garnishes even my life in Christ. What a treat to behold!
You see, our people (in the ministry and in the Bible) sometimes swing at pitches way out of the strike zone or otherwise unhittable. For example, when the lost and confused Samaritans disrespected Jesus a little bit, James and John swung with, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” Luke 9:54. Of course, these disciples of Jesus had much to learn, and should have lain off such pitches coming way in on the hands or floating well outside the strike zone. Really, at that stage of the game, was it really up to James and John to address the entirely sad region on such delicate matters? James and John took a wild swing at a near-wild pitch. Stand down, fellas. Don’t chase that.
We also sometimes let strikes come right down the pike and fail even to lift the bat off our shoulders. What were we waiting for? After Jesus left the earth, Peter used to eat with Gentiles in a powerful demonstration that Christ’s message truly encompassed and invited all nations and peoples. But, when Jews from James arrived, Peter drew back and separated himself from the Gentiles in fear of what James’ people might think. Of course, anyone could have belted this issue over the Green Monster. But rather, one-by-one, they didn’t even muster a swing. In fact, the other Jews joined Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas (who’s supposed to be something) was led astray in it all. Not until Paul’s plate appearance did this nonsense go flying into San Francisco Bay! Galatians 2:11-21.
Additionally, sometimes we swing and miss at a strike because we simply fail and/or refuse to live up to our callings and commitments. After three full years with the Christ, Peter told Jesus, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Luke 22:33. However, when time for prison and death dawned, Peter instead took a wild swing at a good pitch and managed only to chop off the ear of the servant of the high priest. John 18:10. Steeeee-riiiiiiii-ke!
Furthermore, we often flail at nothing but air because we desperately need to get with the program and grow in the faith and in the Lord already. “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15. Most poor plate appearances stem from failing to speak the truth in love. Either our efforts and words fail to be true and/or they fail to burble from love. In either case, we see strikeouts and no-shows aplenty as a result. Alternatively, enduring truth and love would eventually work any pitcher into a walk or a costly mistake. Work it. Truth and love!
If we’re going to take a whack at it, we need some fruitful intention and ability to drive the ball. You weighing in gets us where? To where are you trying to send the ball if you’re fortunate enough to make contact? Truth? Help? Deliverance?
If we’re going to let a pitch go by, it should be out of the strike zone, not hittable, and unworthy of a swing (unless we’re just learning something for now or biding our time). In such inaction, you could provide a quick, courteous explanation that your silence/refrain is deliberate and right, lest people think you’ve fallen asleep at the plate yet again.
So, what kind of pitch to look for? How about someone or something needing you in an area in which you can deliver (feel free to confess humbly as to those matters that remain out of your league)? The options are endless though they don’t all feature Grand Slam home runs where you get to bask in the hero spotlight as if you’re something. You could genuinely offer and deliver love, comfort, sympathy, empathy, fellowship, patience, support, unity, care, concern, a place to stand, Scriptures, goals, humility, the narrow road out, and sober accounts of your own. Too prideful for this? Too forgetful? Too something else? Yer Outtttta Heeeeeere!
The balls and strikes dynamic of baseball and the Kingdom of God pressurizes performance. It’s sink or swim; zero or hero; shame or glory; loss or triumph. My advice? 1) When called to the plate by your calling or commitment, don’t scratch–be there; 2) Watch the pitches carefully and thoughtfully in your most holy faith and work the pitcher; 3) Lay off the absurd, have a plan, and get some good wood on the ball if you’re going to swing at all; 4) Humbly grow up in the faith to accomplish one, two, and three, or find a new game to play.
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