Ninth Position
First Published June 28, 2010
Matthew 19:30
But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
When I was in Junior High School I tried out for the softball team. Mrs. Miller, our coach, had us go through a variety of skill drills involving throwing, catching, batting, and running, while her assistant, a college student, took notes of our abilities. At the next practice we were assigned to our positions. Pitcher, the most prestigious position went to ...not me. The next popular position, first base went to... not me. Second base was assigned to ... not me. No infield positions had my name next to them. The dreaded news awaited. Right field. Center field. Left field. I wasn't going to even play any of those lowly positions?
I knew I was a good athlete, but maybe softball wasn't my sport. But wait, I heard my name called. Oh no, I was going to be the catcher. This was horrible. The chances of getting hit with the ball, bat, or both were huge (especially in junior high). The pads were ugly and cumbersome. The fielders and basemen just stood there, while the catcher exerted effort standing and squatting for every pitch. Figuratively, literally, and socially this position was the lowest of the low.
Now I know you out there knowledgeable in baseball and softball are smiling! You know something that I didn't learn until I was older. The catcher is the most important position on the playing field. From the home plate, the catcher sees the entire field and can analyze the fielders and base runners. When the batter is up at the plate, the catcher signals to the pitcher and dictates what kind of pitch will likely lead to a strike out. In the event of a short hit, pop fly foul, or bunt, the catcher must also be ready to field the ball.
Do you feel that your work for the Kingdom of God is like the "ninth position" on a softball team? Is your job looked upon as lowly, meaningless and unpopular? Did you get passed by when others were chosen to be the song leader, Sunday school teacher, greeter, star of the musical, or server?
Now hear this! What you do for the Kingdom of God is blessing people. You are needed to hold the hand of the sick, to say a kind word to a stranger, to take out the trash after a church event, or even unstop the restroom plumbing. You have something special to be in that position, and in many instances, things would be chaotic without you.
All nine positions in softball are important, but you could never have the second pitch without the catcher!
Copyright 2010 Karen Vaughn
Matthew 19:30
But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
When I was in Junior High School I tried out for the softball team. Mrs. Miller, our coach, had us go through a variety of skill drills involving throwing, catching, batting, and running, while her assistant, a college student, took notes of our abilities. At the next practice we were assigned to our positions. Pitcher, the most prestigious position went to ...not me. The next popular position, first base went to... not me. Second base was assigned to ... not me. No infield positions had my name next to them. The dreaded news awaited. Right field. Center field. Left field. I wasn't going to even play any of those lowly positions?
I knew I was a good athlete, but maybe softball wasn't my sport. But wait, I heard my name called. Oh no, I was going to be the catcher. This was horrible. The chances of getting hit with the ball, bat, or both were huge (especially in junior high). The pads were ugly and cumbersome. The fielders and basemen just stood there, while the catcher exerted effort standing and squatting for every pitch. Figuratively, literally, and socially this position was the lowest of the low.
Now I know you out there knowledgeable in baseball and softball are smiling! You know something that I didn't learn until I was older. The catcher is the most important position on the playing field. From the home plate, the catcher sees the entire field and can analyze the fielders and base runners. When the batter is up at the plate, the catcher signals to the pitcher and dictates what kind of pitch will likely lead to a strike out. In the event of a short hit, pop fly foul, or bunt, the catcher must also be ready to field the ball.
Do you feel that your work for the Kingdom of God is like the "ninth position" on a softball team? Is your job looked upon as lowly, meaningless and unpopular? Did you get passed by when others were chosen to be the song leader, Sunday school teacher, greeter, star of the musical, or server?
Now hear this! What you do for the Kingdom of God is blessing people. You are needed to hold the hand of the sick, to say a kind word to a stranger, to take out the trash after a church event, or even unstop the restroom plumbing. You have something special to be in that position, and in many instances, things would be chaotic without you.
All nine positions in softball are important, but you could never have the second pitch without the catcher!
Copyright 2010 Karen Vaughn
posted by Karen Vaughn | 10:37 AM
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