Posted on 08/04/2012 10:12:26 AM PDT by CHRISTIAN DIARIST
Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton has suffered through a two-month slump, batting barely over .200 since June 1.
There was rampant speculation as to what was ailing Hamilton, the five-time All Star, the 2010 American League Most Valuable Player. Some thought marital problems. Some others thought a relapse into the drug and alcohol abuse with which the 31-year-old struggled in a past life.
But the Rangers basher ended the speculation yesterday, releasing a statement in which he attributed his recent problems at the plate to his disobedience to God. More specifically, his failure to quit chewing tobacco.
Hamilton’s statement elicited predictable derision from those who do not share his Christian faith.
Like the snarky writer for Dallas Magazine who mocked, “So God is punishing Hamilton for using tobacco, and that’s why this year he’s been swinging at more pitches outside the strike zone than anyone else in the majors?”
Hamilton should not expect such nonbelievers to understand. “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,” the Scripture advises, “but to those who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Hamilton is being saved by God’s grace. He has been convicted by the Holy Spirit.
Clearly tobacco is a stronghold in the baseballer’s life; a threat to return him to the life of substance abuse he overcame. God is seeking to protect the young man from the demons that previously enslaved him.
Those of us who are Christ followers empathize with Hamilton. For there is none righteous among us. No, not one.
We all have strongholds in our lives: Habits, behaviors, practices that, if not sinful, lead us into temptation. And they are different for every Christian.
In Hamilton’s case, it’s tobacco, which, for him, is a gateway to hard drugs and alcohol. For another believer, it could be the love of money. And for still another, the stronghold could be pornography.
A former pastor of mine mentioned a man who told him that Holy Spirit moved him to drop out of his fantasy baseball leagues. That’s right. He was so obsessed with his hobby that it got to the point that he was neglecting his wife and kids.
Now that Hamilton is addressing his personal stronghold, now that he has renewed his commitment to crucify the flesh daily, I expect the slugger’s performance at the plate to improve.
For whom the Son sets free, is free indeed.
Hamilton has more God given talent in his pinkie than every baseball journalist combined.
Very nicely written article! People always mock believers for tying in their faith with their vocation or other activities. However, Christianity isn’t something that can be compartmentalized or confined to a pew on Sunday morning; for the believer, it is LIFE, TRUTH, and the WAY.
Good to read that another of these men in MLB are Christians. I’m a big fan of Lance Berkman(who I met briefly.) He’s a very strong Christian guy.
though i’m a yankee fan, i always root for hamilton, especially after the tragic death of fan reaching for the
ball he tossed. i prayed that he would survive that,which
it seems he has.
boy, it’s really obvious that the media just cannot abide
christians being out in the open anymore. i guess we’re
what stand in the way of their imaginary utopia.
“....boy, it’s really obvious that the media just cannot abide christians being out in the open....”
All the more reason for us to openly confess our faith every chance we get. It seems there is no middle ground. Jesus said he hates luke warmness, and would rather have us cold or hot.
If we’re hot, like Tim Tebow, et al, we’re living up to the commandment: Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Matt_10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Luke_12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
One who is cold has probably never known the Lord. So there is a chance they could be awakened, confronted with their need of a Savior, and turn to Christ.
If we’re luke warm, we’re dead and merely haven’t assumed room temperature yet. In any case, Christ said, in paraphrase, that if we’re luke warm we make Him puke!
Good Texas guy through and through. Used to be with the Astros, star player from Rice University plus outstanding academic student. Awesome, intelligent young man. Was so sorry to see him leave us. Understand he wants to coach baseball at UT when he retires. We were truly fortunate to have had Berkman, Biggio and Bagwell in Houston - the killer B’s.
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