Softball and Soreness

How many times do we say, “Sure, I’ll be a part of this or that recreational team that requires physical activity” without even batting an eye? In my case it was, “Sure, I’ll be a part of the church softball team!” Well, even if I had batted my eye several times I wouldn’t have been prepared for the muscle soreness that followed a day in the batting cage and another day on the practice field.

Now, I know you might think, “Softball should not make your body ache with soreness!” But on the contrary, I’d argue that even if you are somewhat athletic and work out other muscles a little bit, softball can and probably will make you sore (especially if you haven’t swung a baseball bat or thrown a baseball/softball in about 3 years). I used some muscles I hadn’t used in a while and they are revolting because of it!!!

God help us to not allow our Spiritual muscles to lie dormant only to break them out once every couple of years. The muscles will not develop using that approach. When a ground ball is hammered directly at me, I want to be able to pick it up and throw it to first base. I don’t want to be so out of shape and sore that I can’t make the play. I don’t want the ball to skip past me into nomad’s land. I want to make the play for Christ. Offensively, when the pitch is tossed my way, I want to pound the ball up the middle for a base hit. It is hard to do that with sore, unexercised muscles.

Time to go exercise!