How to Be a Hall of Fame Disciple

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Former Atlanta Braves’ pitcher Greg Maddux recently received induction into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. A couple of quotes during his acceptance speech indicate the kind of focused worth ethic that earned him the nickname “Mad Dog.” Referring to his daily approach to the game Maddux said

I never gave a thought to the Hall of Fame as I was going through my career. My goal as a baseball player was very simple: All I wanted to do was try to get better for my next start.

Greg played parts of his last two seasons with the San Diego Padres. Even after winning more than 300 games and 4 Cy Young Awards (as the top pitcher yearly in his league), at the end of his stellar career, Maddux related that his pitching coach in San Diego taught him how to throw a change-up a different way. Imagine that… a coach who had a modest career of his own at best teaching a hall of famer how to pitch. To hammer home an important life lesson, Maddux commented:

Just goes to show that you no matter how old you are, you’re still looking to get better.

Get better for my next start. Looking to get better. These two statements should typify a follower of Jesus. Am I doing all I can to walk more closely with Jesus today than I did yesterday? Am I intentionally pursuing Christlikeness on a daily basis? Do I realize how much I still have to grow and that I have not arrived at perfection?

How do we engage this constant growth process? The Word of God and prayer are the two tools God has given us for that purpose.

We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (HCSB)

But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works—this person will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (HCSB)

If a hall of famer like Greg Maddux recognized the key to success in his sport was intentional daily improvement, how much more should we see the eternal importance of daily getting better and growing closer to Jesus? Establish the habit of getting better every day by gazing into God’s Word and allowing Him to transform you through His Word’s power. You will find yourself one day in Jesus’ hall of fame of disciples.

 

Greg Maddux speech quotes courtesy of Chicago Tribune online.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-greg-maddux-speech-20140727-story.html#page=1

One thought on “How to Be a Hall of Fame Disciple”

  1. Jane Schum

    What a chore it is to put all thoughts aside, read a passage of scripture and pray for help during the day. It is impossible. We cannot turn on devotions like clicking on the television. If I may, what you are suggesting is backwards. Growth comes from reading and prayer, but it won’t work without first knowing, really knowing the God of our salvation. It’s like trying to drive without starting the car.

    First comes complete surrender to Christ in thought and mind. The Holy Spirit is then set free to work in the mind and heart to remind us of the presence of Jesus in every minute of the day.

    The God who counts the very hairs of our head is intimately interested in everything we do every day–our thoughts, actions, and reactions. This complete surrender daily to Jesus allows Him to advise us through the day. Paul put it, “I die daily” meaning he surrendered so completely that he was no longer Paul, but Christ IN Paul.

    In Christ, we look at people differently, actually feel their needs, and see the want in their eyes. Family members can tell the difference because we are walking with Christ in us, teaching us how to see our world as He does, suggesting what we do and not do. People are drawn to us, as they were to Jesus, and the Counselor advises us in every situation.

    To humbly approach the throne of Grace, asking for forgiveness of sins, and to completely focus on Jesus is just the beginning of hearing God’s word and doing what He asks. What joy awaits a Christian who can actually abide in the thoughts of Christ on an hourly basis. Prayer becomes conversation, and life becomes exciting.

    As a Pastor, you have a problem. People either don’t understand what complete surrender is, or they don’t want it. They think they have to give up their personalities, and walk with their heads in the clouds. That’s scary. Most church members rely on the Sunday sermon for their spiritual meal of the week, and rarely even read God’s word during the week. They are missing so much, and this hurts you, I know.

    I will be praying that you will find a way to teach your flock the contentment of living in Christ and enjoying His presence. Growth and fruit will follow, but first they must get personal, beyond salvation, with the Vine. It’s not what we can do for Christ, but what He can do through us. We don’t strive to grow closer to Jesus. We simply surrender, and He’s there.

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