Josh Hamilton's story has been told many times over within the circles of Major League Baseball. A native North Carolinian, he was the #1 pick of the 1999 draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, fell into major drug and alcohol addiction, and was out of baseball for three seasons. He made it back last season with the Cincinnati Reds, had a good year, and was traded to Texas in the off-season. He is now an All-Star and bashed 28 home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby tonight.
But this is not about baseball or his incredible accomplishments on the diamond. This is about Jesus Christ. Hamilton is outspoken about his belief in God and how he has been carried up from the depths of despair a few years ago. While being interviewed following the derby tonight, he said something to the effect of "I just want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and glorify and honor Him in everything I do." Of course he talks about baseball and his talent when asked, but the conversation always goes back to Jesus. In the ESPN article I linked above, Hamilton mentions feeling "almost guilty" about his life now. But I think he is just that humbled by God's plan to use him for such a bigger purpose. His life is a very real example of God's forgiveness, of His purpose, and His power over all things, Satan and addiction included. Sure, Hamilton is a great role model as a player; heck, he's an All-Star in this life. But the reality is that he lets his light shine for Jesus, and that matters in eternity.
I sincerely hope and pray that the Hamilton story continues to get better. I'm not sure how that's entirely possible, but I'm sure God can come up with something. I am a huge fan of his (how can you not be) and watched the Home Run Derby hoping to see him succeed on the big stage. It was a magical night, one that led Peter Gammons to say, "it's a bad night to be an atheist." Of course I am much less witty and eloquent than my fellow Tar Heel, so after 28 home runs, all I could do was wipe my misty eyes and click "Add to My Cart" for a new Josh Hamilton jersy. It's stories like this that show you how much bigger than us God is. There is no hope for addiction and pain, sin and the Devil in the battle against God. So that's why you, Satan, can suck it.
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3 comments:
"It's a bad night to be an atheist," may be witty and eloquent, but it should also be noted that it is hate-speech. Would it have been okay for the ESPN personality (Rick Riley) to say, "It's a bad night to be a Mexican," or, as Hitler may have said, "It's a bad night to be a Jew"?
Agreed. I was quite surprised when he (Peter Gammons) said it and more surprised that no one said anything about it. Rick Reilly also said something earlier in the night to the effect of "this derby will be no good because there are 8 white guys; no Hispanics, no African-Americans, and they're the ones who always win this contest." Obviously neither comment was in particularly good taste, whether or not they had a point.
Matthew, I have to disagree. What Peter Gammons said was not meant to degrade or intimidate anyone. It was a big moment for Josh Hamilton and he delivered on a big stage and in a big way...then he pointed to Jesus as the source of his power. I interrupted Gammons’ comment as saying that Hamilton displayed his faith in God in an awesome way. It is not hate speech. It may be unpopular, but is not hate.
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