What was the name of that guy who followed Babe Ruth in the batting order on the 1927 New York Yankees team? If you’re a baseball aficionado you probably know the answer but for us regular folks, evoking the name of the great Babe Ruth could only mean that the guy who batted next was not nearly as important to the team.
We often find ourselves in a similar position in life, where the person that precedes us or accompanies us, also completely overshadows us. We step up, knees rattling and teeth chattering, hoping to hit a home run and after three quick whiffs we begin to doubt our abilities. Maybe we’re not cut out for this. Maybe the level of talent in this league is too great.
In my military experience, one of my best assignments was instructing young officers in preparation for their fleet assignments. The challenge they faced was enormous. In terms of requirements to display leadership, responsibility and sheer seat-of-their-pants adaptability the expectations were off the charts. At a ripe old average age of 23, the likelihood that they would hit all the wickets the first time out was dismal. For most of them balancing life and a high-stakes job at sea was not something they’d ever done before. Add to their challenge that they would relieve a seasoned officer (of 3 to 4 years experience) when they reported to their new jobs. Visions of Babe Ruth circling their heads, they set out to become the new home run champ.
Of course the requirements of the job did not call for Babe Ruth qualifications. Babe Ruth was an exception. He was the Apostle Paul; Moses, Goliath, and all they would have to be was a good “{insert name}”, but wrongly focused, many of them set themselves up for quick failure in lieu of the gradual success plan that was already in place for them. I remember inwardly snickering at their arrogance and predicting the unlikelihood of their successes.
Let’s look at this a different way. When James and John asked to sit at Jesus’ right and left hand, Jesus quickly let them know they were out of line; that they didn’t know what they were asking and they were wrongly focused but he also addressed the others. Mark 10:35-45. In other words after Jesus would have told the young officers they must first become good at being the lowliest member of the team, He would have turned to me to correct my indignation. I wish I had known that there was a lesson for everyone in that scenario.
In finding their way, they had to follow “THE” Way. If they focused on becoming the next superstar, they would often burn out in frustration at the overwhelming standard they established for themselves. As for me: If you’re (I’m) helping someone find their way don’t be surprised or indignant about their idealistic zeal. Don’t deflate them.
The guy who followed Babe Ruth in 1927 just happened to be a guy named Lou Gehrig because Lou Gehrig actually had a higher batting average and was the designated “clean up” hitter but that’s not the point. The batting assignment to be the guy who follows Babe Ruth comes with a specific job requirement. The expectation is that you will be able to do that job. The hope is that you will eventually do better. Finish well good people!
civilwritesdotme 