The Pitcher and Catcher: Communication and Trust

A Softball Devotional

In softball, the pitcher and catcher have a unique relationship. The catcher can't see what the pitcher sees. The pitcher can't see where the batter is positioned or how they're standing. So they communicate. The catcher signals what pitch to throw. The pitcher trusts that signal. They work together.

Here's what's crucial: the catcher trusts the pitcher to throw to their target. The pitcher trusts the catcher to know what the batter needs. There's vulnerability in this relationship. The pitcher might throw exactly what the catcher asks for and it might be hit for a home run. But they trust each other anyway.

This is what spiritual community looks like at its best.

You can't navigate faith alone. You need people who can see things you can't see. You need people to call signals – to tell you when you need to throw a fastball of conviction, or when you need a softer change-up of encouragement. And you have to trust them even when their advice doesn't work out perfectly.

Proverbs 27:12 says: "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty."

Wise people get input. They listen to signals.

Proverbs 15:22 says: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

Many advisers. Communication. Trust. That's how plans succeed.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 says: "Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, to lead and admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other."

Acknowledge leaders. Admonish. Work together in peace.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another."

Spur one another on. Encourage. Communication and trust.

Proverbs 27:17 says: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

Sharpen each other. That requires communication and trust.

Tomorrow's Practice: This week, practice being both pitcher and catcher in your spiritual relationships. Be willing to receive signals from people who can see what you can't see. And be willing to give signals to others – to offer counsel, to speak truth, to help them see things they're missing. Build relationships of mutual communication and trust.

Reflection Question: Do you have pitcher-catcher relationships – people you trust enough to receive signal from and give signals to – or are you trying to navigate faith alone?