Blessed

When I say that I'm blessed, most people don't think about softball, but today, as it often has, softball has blessed me. Or, to put it more accurately, I have been blessed by God with the ability and opportunity to play softball.

My team dominated tonight, but that's not the point. There are actually two points.

Today, my coach made me lead-off batter. We got smashed twice last week, so he changed up the batting order a bit, and I was first because I have 1. the best batting average (over 80%) and 2. I have the highest percentage of time spent on base. I was blown away. My team is full of great players, but here Jerry was telling the team how good I am. I was honoured, but the pressure was on me like you wouldn't believe. I've always hated being lead-off batter, even if it's just an inning, but the whole game? To put it lightly, I was nervous. However, I stepped up to the plate and smashed the first pitch into the outfield. I proved myself worth of the spot for the rest of the game. (This is also not the point.) The point is this: a certain verse popped into my head when coach pulled me aside to tell me that I'd be leading off.

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." - Luke 12:48

I have been given a lot of talent in sports, and therefore a lot is expected of me, but that's not my main job on the team. My main job is to glorify God. A majourity of my teammates are not Christians, so it is my job to be different, to reflect God. If I can earn their respect as a player, I also earn their respect as a person, and they are more likely to take into account the things that I say. God has given me the talent, and now I must use it for His glory.

A little bit of extra wisdom: Do not let fear stop you. When much is entrusted to you, it's only natural to have some apprehension, but don't let that keep you from going out and doing what needs to be done. After all, "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31

Point 2. I got to talk a bit about faith with one of the girls on my team tonight. I did not get to share very much, but now I know more of what she believes. I have been given an amazing opportunity to pour into this girl's life. It was great that she was honest with me. The real blessing tonight was that I got to begin something important with this girl. I am so lucky that God will allow me (me, of all people!) to use something as insignificant as a game of softball to do His work. We are blessed to bless others, even if our blessings seem outside of the realm of His work.