Batter Up

There was a very special time each day after school during my Jr. year. My friends and I would race home to watch the newest installment of our favorite anime. We allowed nothing to get in our way. It was, and still is, all the hype as far as I’m concerned.

During lunch, we were discussing the previous episode (the fight! the blood! the story!) when the coach approached me. “Paul, we need your help after school. The baseball team is short one player.” So what? I didn’t enjoy playing baseball—besides, I had plans. He saw the answer in my eyes. “If you don’t help, we can’t play the game.”

I cringed. I couldn’t miss my show, but it would be worse to disappoint the entire school (popularity zero!). I gulped and responded with one condition. “Fine,” I grumbled. “As long as I don’t get hit by the ball when I’m batting.” The coach laughed and agreed.

Later that afternoon, I found myself trading my couch for the batter’s box and the TV remote for a bat. My eyes, normally glued to a flashing screen, were locked on the pitcher.

I dug my feet into the ground and powered up with a mighty shout. The ground rumbled and cracked around me. This was going to be an easy home run.

The pitcher threw. The ball unexpectedly curved. It was heading straight for me and fast. I tried to dodge. My final thought in that moment—anime has taught me nothing—ouch!

I was called to serve my school that day just as we are all called to serve in the Body of Christ (the Church). We may not get the position or outcome we request. It may be uncomfortable, but every part of the body is important (1 Corinthians 12:12-26).

In LOTKJ (Chapter 8), Alyniana says, “There were lessons in that story for all who would listen.” We are stronger together as a unified body than separated by quarrels and selfish desires. When we stand together, each doing the part God gave us, the whole body moves forward.

"For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me."

Psalm 18:39

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