By Tim Griffin

 

     What possible use could a baseball bat have in the hands of a pit crew mechanic? We’re talking about racing here, not stepping up to the plate to receive a pitch. Now, there are crews on race day that do such a find job that we might say they “knocked it out of the park” on a given day. But, other than that, why would a mechanic have a baseball bat in his hand on race day?

 

     The fact is, anyone who has seen the pit crews on television, or been fortunate enough to see them up close, knows that a baseball bat is a key tool for any pit crew. On race day, given the changes that happen so fast in the course of a race, pit crews have to be creative in the way they handle different circumstances. When a car comes in with a bent hood or bumper, out comes the baseball bat. When a dented wheel-well is scraping dangerously close to a tire, out comes the baseball bat. When an additional jack of sorts is needed, again, it’s time to batter up. The baseball bat is truly a universally useful device, and a testament to the creativity of crew members on race day.

 

     Throughout the Bible we discover stories that show God’s creative approach to accomplishing His purposes. For example, In the Old Testament we find a famous scene where God speaks to one of His choice servants thru a “burning bush” that is never consumed by the fire (reference). In another place He reasons with an argumentative sojourner by speaking thru a donkey (reference). There is also a period in time during the history of God’s people where He leads the nation of Israel by a pillar of fire and smoke (reference). Now those are creative ways to get the job done!

 

     But the story doesn’t end there. In the New Testament, Scripture records the fact that God has gifted each of His followers with a special ability to participate in the mission of the Church (reference). All of His people have received unique skills to do amazing things that we might never expect of them. The old adage, “you can’t judge a book by its cover” definitely applies to the sovereign design of God’s body, which is the church (reference). His ways are much different than ours. Our gifting and special place in His plan is truly amazing.

    

     What’s the baseball bat in your tool box? What special, or even surprising, creative ability can you use in the service of God’s kingdom? The creativity of the pit crew reflects the creativity that God has built into each one of us. When we place our lives into God’s masterful hands, he can use the things that appear designed for one purpose for a vastly different purpose—to the honor of his glory and to the accomplishment of his sovereign plan.