Signals Crossed (Psalms 32:8-9)

My coach quickly touched his hat with his right hand, rubbed the sleeve of his left arm, then felt his left ear with his left hand. Got it! He wanted me to fake a bunt. On the next pitch, I assumed the position to bunt and allowed the pitch to pass me by. My coach immediately called a timeout and called me over.

“What are you doing? I wanted you to take the next pitch. Why did you try to bunt?”

I was confused. “Isn’t that what you signaled?”

He pursed his lips. “No. We went over this before the game. I thought you understood my signals. That’s why I called you over.”

I was 10 years old and was playing baseball for a local league. Before the game, the coach drilled us on a complex set of signals he created. There were different signals for taking a pitch, faking a bunt, swinging and missing, and hitting away. To confuse the opposing team, he added several extraneous signals, giving the appearance of legitimate signals. Yet, he made it clear that if he first touched his hat, it meant to take the next pitch, regardless of whatever signal came after that. I got my signals crossed!

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you. 

Psalms 32:8-9 (NASB)

God promises to instruct and teach us along our pathway to life. He may quietly guide us with His eye, gently nudging us in the direction we should tread. However, when we do not understand or reject His directions, He may intervene with stronger measures. Like mastering a wayward horse or mule, He may need to call me over like my baseball coach, to ensure that I follow His instructions. Do I ever get my signals crossed? Absolutely! But it is not God’s fault, but mine alone. 

Praise God for His grace and mercy to all who trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.