Come, Let Us Reason Together

We All Have A Place On The Team

At 17, I joined the ladies' softball league. I LOVED playing, but I wasn't good at all. I could hit the ball and get on base almost every time. I was a fast runner and was only caught stealing once...(it was a bad call. I know I was safe). But I wasn't upset, out of 14+ years of playing; I was called out for stealing only once! Not bad! But my fielding was terrible! I had no confidence. For the first 2 years I played, I was the right fielder...that's where they always stuck the bad players. But when someone worse at fielding joined the team, I was moved to center field. The more balls that came my way, the better I became. I got to the point where anything that came within running distance for me, I could catch. I can remember even making a really impressive-looking diving catch once. (Where was the video camera that day?) But I was never even close to being top player. Most every year, I would win "best sportsmanship", because no matter what, I cheered and encouraged my team. After maybe 5 years of playing, our pitcher was unable to make the games and I was asked to try the position. BINGO! I found my spot! And I pitched every game since!

After a while, the ladies' league folded and the men's league was also beginning to die. So, all of us die-hard softball players combined for a mixed league. It was great!! I got to play with my brother! (That saved us "fighting" over our favorite bat.) We played in some tournaments, did some traveling to PEI and Saint John a few times to play against some serious teams for a company my brother had worked for. (I was asked to be one of the "ladies" for the team.) One such tournament, we won every game! Because another team was doing as well, and time was running short, we ended up having to play 4 games in one day. I pitched all 4. The batting was awesome, the fielding was amazing and we won the tournament! Our team consisted of 7 men and 2 women. Everyone played well. We had 2 amazing hitters. My brother was honestly the most consistent, hitting homers over center-field fence most ever time. We had 2 amazing fielders that caught everything that came their way. But when they voted for MVP, I was in for a very surprising shock.... they all voted for me! Out of all the men, all the heavy hitters, all the amazing fielders...they chose me! I HAD to ask why. They informed me that they would not have been able to do their job if I hadn't done mine so well. WOW! I love playing, but I'm not naturally good...at anything. I worked hard, had fun, before I got even a little good. I went from the worst player on the team to being voted MVP!! And the reason is this: I found MY place on the team! I found where I belonged. I wasn't the home-run hitter that's fun to watch. I wasn't the amazing fielder with incredible catches that take your breath away. I was the faithful, consistent pitcher. Every position needs to be filled by the person who is meant for that position, in order for a team to function at top performance. (Practice and work are a must as well, but that's a different point.) Romans 12:3-8 "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." God DOES have a place where you fit. Don't doubt that for a second. And you know, you may not realize your importance in that role until the final day when you receive your crown. His will for you is not meant to be a mystery. He HAS called you, and so He has also equipped you. If you want to know where your "place on the team " is, listen to your heart. If you have a passion for something, remember who fashioned you; your passion could be your calling. Listen to the leading of God's Spirit; He'll let you know when you're on the right track. Listen to those around you; if they think you're gifted or good at something, a skill or a talent, that's an indication of where you may be supposed to be. Listen to your dreams and the things you want to do; they are also indications. But sometimes, God may call you out of right field! You'll know by the urging in your spirit. You may not have the slightest indication that you can do it. You may not have any skill or talent in that area. But if you feel God urging you in that direction, just go for it! ANYTHING DONE IN GOD'S STRENGTH, IS FAR BETTER THAN ANYTHING DONE IN OUR OWN STRENGTH. And He will work through you. God knows what He's doing and He knows how to get it done. If He calls you to do something out of your "area of expertise" believe me when I say He'll grant you everything you need to do it. The "less" you are, the more you rely on God. The more you rely on God, the more He is free to work and do and fulfill His purpose through you. So don't dismiss a call because you don't think you can do it. If you feel God leading you, trust Him. Philippians 4:13

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength."