Hitters and Pitchers

Hitters and Pitchers

My mother-in-law, Edrea, is a Mariners fan. Whenever there is a game on, she will most likely be watching it. I enjoy watching her and my wife, Jan, interact as they watch the games together. It provides me with some very entertaining moments as they cheer the Mariners on and discuss pessimism vs. optimism. There is something to be learned from watching the games – the difference between hitters and pitchers.

Now, Hitters or batters really do not seem to have much of an agenda other than, “swing at the good balls and create the best hit they can and if they are fortunate they will hit a home run.” No one gets angry or blames the hitters when the pitcher has is throwing with what we call a hot hand.  If the pitcher is really hot he throws a no hitter.

The Pitchers, well, their work is to decide what’s going to happen next in the game. They set the pace of the game, plan the strategy, initiate the mood instead of react.

When our lives are in reaction mode, we’re allowing the outside forces to decide what happens next in our lives. We may have freedom from the hard work of setting an agenda, the give-and-take is we dance when the urgent situations arise and say dance. Sometimes it is all we can do to say, “I did the best I could with what was thrown at me...”

Following Christ takes guts in this world today. It is antithetical (a fancy word meaning mutually incompatible with God) and it is hard whenever you sense others judging, criticizing, or condemning you for your faith. When we decided to follow Christ, we decided to allow him to set the agenda for our lives (this is called the Lordship of Christ) and when we really allow him take control over our time and our efforts it is a game changer. The responsibility for what happens next belongs to both Christ and ourselves. 

Hitter or Pitcher – Jesus is Lord of all.