A few weeks ago, after being on the disabled list, I was once again able to play softball with the church league. The last time I played I suffered from a broken wrist/arm in two places, and suffered wearing a cast for the next five weeks. As my cast was being removed I laughably asked the nurse practitioner if I could play softball, now that my cast was off. Surprisingly she said "yes", as long as you don't slide and you wear your brace." A answer I was not expecting to hear!
I must admit that fear came over me as I begin to remember the night of the broken arm. "Do I really want to do this again?" Will I be tempted to slide again?" I am a very competitive person and I know I will give it my best. Reluctantly I agreed to EH that night for the game.
First time up to bat, first pitch, first swing and I hit the ball out into the center field. A solid hit and probably the best hit for me of the season. I ran all the way to third base, and was noticing that the coach on third was waving me to go home. I got half way home and realized that there was a good chance I would be very tempted to slide, so I ran back to third. A triple was not bad after five weeks on the disabled list, but I could have had a in-park home run. It would have been my first, but I let fear cause me to miss the opportunity.
Every day of our lives God is giving us opportunities. Sometimes we get to third and we stop because we become afraid; afraid of being hurt, afraid of losing something, afraid of being embarrassed, or sometimes just of afraid of being afraid. Possibly never again will I hit a ball so well and have that opportunity. It was truly a Kodak moment that I missed.
My prayer today is: "God help me to take hold of every opportunity that you give me, and also help me to have courage to run home (if I ever hit the ball that well again!)
"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
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