Learning from Baseball: Training to be Thoughtless?

Key Verse:

 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)

I first heard the words muscle memory when I played handbells. But muscle memory isn’t just for musicians.

muscle memory NOUN

the ability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious thought, acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement.

Oxford Dictionaries · Cortana · Bing Translator

Trea Turner is the starting short stop (SS) for the Washington Nationals and was first called up from their Triple-A team back in 2015. Trea was already a great SS, but his muscle memory included what’s known in baseball as a double clutch.

double clutch

When a fielder – usually an infielder or a catcher – draws his arm back twice before throwing he’s said to “double clutch”. This hesitation often leads to a delayed or late throw, allowing runners to advance a base. The term is borrowed from a method of shifting gears on an automotive vehicle.

Glossary of baseball (D) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A double clutch can mean the difference between success and failure. Yikes! Trea was told he needed to stop double clutching his throws.

Remember, muscle memory is “the ability to reproduce a movement without conscious thought.”

Trea could no longer throw a ball without thinking or he would double clutch.

He had to unlearn the old muscle memory WHILE making a new muscle memory.

How? By paying attention and being intentional every time he threw a ball.

What does this have to do with Jesus-followers? A lot!

I’m learning there is a direct connection between my muscle memories and my ability to follow Jesus. I’ve been shocked by how much I say or do by muscle memory (without conscious thought). And I’ve discovered something else.

By pinpointing my muscle memories and their results, I’m able to draw a line between the two and see where I need to make new muscle memories.

So, if repetition creates muscle memory, you and I (we) must pay attention to the things we do repeatedly.

Practice only brings benefit when we practice doing things the right way. Does that mean we shouldn’t try if we can’t do something right the first time? Absolutely not!

Each time we practice something new, we increase our repetitions and strengthen our new memory muscles.

AND…

Each time we practice something new, we let go of (unlearn) a little bit more of the old.

This week…

1 Intentionally notice the things you do using muscle memory (those things you do without thinking). Begin drawing a line between your muscle memories and their results.

2 What muscle memory do you need to stop practicing. Ask Jesus to help you see what new muscle memory He wants you to begin practicing instead.

3 Share with another Jesus-follower. Ask them to pray for you to persevere as you practice. Yes, I realize this is scary to do, but do it anyway. You’ll be glad (later).

Digging Deeper:

Romans 12:2, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 3:13-14

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

In case you’re wondering, Trea no longer throws with a double clutch.