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Swing!

Swing! Swing, my classmates kept screaming. I stood poised at home plate waiting for the pitch. Palms sweating, dread filling every part of my body, I would rather have been anywhere other than there. You see, I come from a family void of any interest in sports. Even though my extended family is huge, when we got together, sports were neither the activity or the topic of discussion. In addition to this, I have never been known for my agility, speed, or strength. So, needless to say physical education class was always a source of great anxiety and dread. Feelings of embarrassment, fear, and inadequacy were my constant companions during those school years.


On this particular day embarrassment reached a new pinnacle. In my hesitancy and dread I was paralyzed. At the time it seemed that not swinging would be preferable to swinging and missing. Oh how wrong I was! As I stood there wishing the ground would swallow me, the pitch came and unbelievably hit my stationary bat! The jeers came in a flurry. Once again I had proven that I was a total failure with anything having to do with sports. All I had to do was swing the bat, but paralyzed in fear I did nothing.


My husband, who is a serious sports fan, always says it’s better to go down swinging. For years he played baseball and softball. His greatest annoyance was people who just stood and watched pitches go by. His philosophy is “SWING” whether the pitch is perfect or not. You look like much less of a dummy at least trying then simply standing there. I wish that on that day I had swung the bat. I really had everything I needed to do so. All I had to do was move.


This regrettable moment in time came flooding back recently when I heard this phrase; “Don’t let satan have the first pitch”! So often I am like that day at bat in my spiritual life. Even though I have everything I need to combat the evil one. Even though I am victorious and not a victim thanks to the price paid by Christ. Even though I am promised that He will fight for me if I will only be courageous. Still many times I am that same thirteen year old girl again. Too often I miss opportunities to witness about my faith, to share the gospel, to minister to the hurting. Paralyzed by fear, feeling inadequate, and filled with pride that keeps me from “just doing it”, I stand there bat in hand with everything I need and let satan have the pitch.


I have to remind myself daily that it is not my strength that sustains me. That it is not my power I can depend on. That fear is of the enemy. That I have within me a power that is greater than the power of satan. I cannot, nor can you, afford to stand paralyzed. There is too much to be done, and too much at stake. As we speed toward the end of time, courage will be a quality that followers of Christ must possess. So don’t worry about looking dumb, falling on your face, or coming up short. We serve a might God who provides us with every good thing, so swing with all your might!


II Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go.

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