Send Them

My father has been a baseball coach for more than 30 years. By now, I know what type of plays he likes to call. One of his favorites is sending out a pinch-runner to see if he could steal enough bases over the next few batters to end up on third base so my father could try to get him across home plate during a squeeze play.

When the pinch-runner is sent in, everyone on and off the field knows exactly what the main talent of this player is: speed. This player also knows they have one job: to run from base to base as fast as possible without getting out.

I always found the pinch-runner a brave spot to take on. You come onto the field to replace someone who got a hit and fought to be on base. By switching places, you tell everyone that you are the player for the job and tell your coach to send you to the next base.

Are we brave enough to answer the call of God on our life? When He calls us for a specific task, will we step forward or shrink back? The prophet Isaiah answered the call when God asked for someone to preach to the unbelievers. Being a Christian isn’t supposed to be comfortable. God will call us to do things that are outside our comfort zone.

I pray that we have the confidence of a player who knows their talents and doesn’t back down from the position in which they are called. God has given us unique skills to help advance His kingdom; let’s all choose to step up to the plate.