In game three of the Cubs series against the San Francisco Dodgers, one of the announcers said something that struck me as profound.
“Jake Arrieta has been finely refined during his time with the Cubs.”
This player started his professional career with the Baltimore Orioles in 2010, where he wasn’t so spectacular. He was good enough to be drafted by the Orioles. Which is certainly impressive, but he wasn’t improving there. In fact, it didn’t look like he had much of a future in the big leagues at all.
Then, in 2013 the Cubs picked him up.
Now, he is now one of Chicago’s starters and numbered among the three best pitchers in Major League Baseball.
Switching teams seems to have made all the difference.
He has been finely refined.
I’ve been through times when I didn’t feel like I was going anywhere, either. My head wasn’t in the game and my body wouldn’t play by the rules. I felt like I just couldn’t do all that was expected of me and I didn’t respond well under pressure.
My life felt more like a MESS than a MASTERPIECE.
When life feels more like a #MESS than a #MASTERPIECE, it's time for a new refining team. Click To Tweet
But God can take our MESS and turn it into a MASTERPIECE. And often He uses those people around us to refine us. Our tribe. Our community. Our team.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
Just like Jake Arrieta, we need a team that will refine us.
That roster includes those who have gone before us, stay in stride beside us, and inspire us from behind.
-Those that go before us, like coaches, challenge us to become more proficient. They work us hard and teach us the valuable tricks they’ve learned over the years. Their experience makes us better. These are the people in our lives who are a decade or two ahead, who’ve already walked the road we’re on and have advice to share.
-Those that go beside us, like teammates, count on us to do our part, to contribute our best to the team. These people walk alongside us in the trenches and understand the challenges we face. They are comrades serving in the same places we are. We share both victories and defeats and encourage one another to grow through each.
-Those that go behind us, like minor league players, look up to us to encourage them. Seeing admiration on the faces of those working toward their own greatness creates an excitement for the game that is often lost in our constant striving. These are the people with whom we, in turn, share our wisdom. Being able to pass on what we know helps us see just how far we’ve come. They inspire us by celebrating our wins with a sense of expectation for their own victories ahead, because some day they hope to be standing in our cleats.
Wisdom, camaraderie, and inspiration fuel the refining fire.
Wisdom, camaraderie, and inspiration fuel the refining fire. Click To Tweet
To all of you who gather here with me each week, thank you all for being my team. For sharing your wisdom with me. For your constant camaraderie. For the inspiration to keep going. And for the opportunity to share with you what I’ve learned.
We’ve been drafted by God. He picked us for His team and His Son’s sacrifice makes us good enough. But He wants more for us. He won’t stop refining His MASTERPIECE until we meet Him face to face in His heavenly kingdom where we’ll be made perfect.
Who is on your team? Who is God using to refine you? I’d love for you to share this post with them and thank them for all they do to help turn you into the MASTERPIECE God created you to be.
Are you missing any key players? Where can you look to find just the right person to add to the roster?
Surrounding yourself with the right team might just mean the difference between success and striking out.
Surrounding yourself with the right team might just mean the difference between success and striking… Click To Tweet
For more encouragement please join the discussions on these fabulous blog link ups - Suzanne Eller, Thought Provoking Thursday, Susan B. Mead, Faith Filled Friday, Grace and Truth, Faith and Fellowship Friday, Grace and Truth Friday, Good Morning Monday, Soul Survival, Monday Musings, Rah Rah Link Up, Tell His Story, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Women With Intention Wednesday, Sitting Among Friends, Word of God Speak, Testimony Tuesday.
Liz, what a great post! I loved the baseball analogy. Discipleship, including being discipled by others who are farther down the road that us and sharing what we’re learning with others, is so important. Sharing with others often solidifies what we’re learning. Sometimes when I’m counseling, I tell my counselee to come back next week and be prepared to explain the principle we talked about to me. Often they tell me they also had opportunities to share it with others and they are excited about how God has used them. Sharing, pinning & tweeting. Blessings!
Wonderful message..one of your best!….and so seasonal:0)…..xo