The boy who had a revelation after strike three

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27).

Today’s devotional is an invitation to see things from a new perspective.

We sometimes need that, don’t we?

Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the young boy who thought he was the world’s greatest baseball hitter.

He threw the ball up into the air, and when it came down, he tried to hit it, but missed. He called out, “Strike one!”

“Come on, you’re the greatest hitter there is!” He tried a second time and still missed. “Strike two!”

He spit on his hands, re-gripped his bat, and tried to encourage himself some more. “Come on, you’re the greatest hitter in the world!” He threw the ball up, and when it came down, he swung at it a third time—and missed. Strike three.

Then the boy had an idea. “Wait a second, I’m not the greatest hitter in the world, I’m the greatest pitcher!”

Yes, it’s silly. And a little bit funny. But it teaches us something. Instead of focusing on how he kept striking out, he decided to focus on how he was also throwing the ball that struck himself out! Perhaps he was better at pitching than batting.

Here’s today’s question: Have you been beating yourself up because you don’t have someone else’s strengths?

As Christians, there are things we are all called to do. We are all called to love others, pray, grow in Christlikeness, worship, and share our faith. However, within those overarching categories, we have different strengths.

What if you weren’t a batter, but a pitcher. What if you weren’t made to be an expert apologist, but an ever-willing advocate for the poor. What if you weren’t a skilled musician, but an encourager for those who are feeling deflated. What if you weren’t a teacher, but an organizer who could get a new ministry off the ground by working behind the scenes?

Everyone in the church—something the New Testament calls the “body of Christ”—has things in common. Most notably, our unity is in our King and Head, Jesus Christ. But within that body, we have different gifts and abilities.

Have you been beating yourself up because you don’t have someone else’s strengths?

God made you you. He didn’t make you someone else. He made you you.

Use your unique strengths as a part of Christ’s body, and do it all for the glory of God.