This post introduces a series of posts (we'll see how many I actually write) that relate two of the most important aspects of my life: God and sports. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Mormon, but these posts should be applicable to those from other faiths. Some will contain my own ideas, but this one comes from my notes and thoughts surrounding a message delivered by Jeremy Guthrie, a pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, and his wife, Jenny.
Any inaccuracies in the stories below are the fault of my poor note taking ability and weak memory. But the messages and lessons remain the same regardless.
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If you were offered a million dollars to play professional baseball for the team of your childhood, but you would have to give up a spiritual goal and opportunity to serve people in a foreign country that you had never met for two years, what would you do? Perhaps that would be an easier decision if you clearly understood who you are and what your purpose is.
Jenny Guthrie, wife of Kansas City Royals pitcher, Jeremy Guthrie, related a story about her husband when he was a minor league ball player in the Cleveland Indians farm system. Jeremy was at winter meetings with other prospects and one of the motivational speakers went around the room asking each prospect the question, "Who are you?"
"Brandon Phillips," came one response. The speaker challenge him, "I didn't ask what your name is." "I'm on a quest to the Major Leagues," another athlete declared. "I didn't ask where you are going." Jeremy Guthrie gave the simple and sincere answer, "I am a child of God." No sarcastic remark came in response.
For one thing, it is very difficult for someone to challenge a testimony. When Guthrie stated the simple truth of his divine heritage, I have no doubt that the Spirit of God was in that room. It must have touched the heart of all those present to hear the conviction of one who knows exactly who he is. And knowing that Jeremy Guthrie is the kind of man who can share his spiritual knowledge in front of all his peers, and without fear of consequence, helped me to understand the experiences that he related next.
A few years prior to those Cleveland Indians winter meetings Guthrie could have been drafted as high as the third round, but he made it clear that he intended to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a result he slipped to be the 15th round choice of the New York Mets, who happened to be the team he grew up rooting for. Talk about a dream come true! Most boys grow up closing their eyes, envisioning themselves in uniform for their favorite team one day. But very, very few ever come close to making that a reality.
Yet somehow Jeremy Guthrie was still suggesting to Mets executives that he would turn down the chance to play for his favorite team in order to stop playing baseball for two full years. He said that he still has no idea if it was a rhetorical question or a legitimate offer when he was asked "If we gave you one million dollars, would you still turn down the opportunity to play for the Mets and go on a church mission?"
He didn't hesitate. He chose to risk his entire future in baseball to serve a mission in Spain. He didn't pick up a baseball for two consecutive years, something most would view as a career-killing move, and he did it willingly.
Why? Guthrie's top priority isn't the game he loves, but rather the God he loves. When our primary focus is Heavenly Father, everything else falls into place. While his message was delivered specifically to LDS youth, the lesson is applicable to all of us. Speaking to those youth he said, "The Lord will not take away what he has planned for you if you choose to serve a mission. That is my promise to you."
To apply that to all of us I would like to make a minor change to that quote: "The Lord will not take away what he has planned for you if you choose to serve Him. That is my promise to you."
Any inaccuracies in the stories below are the fault of my poor note taking ability and weak memory. But the messages and lessons remain the same regardless.
***********
If you were offered a million dollars to play professional baseball for the team of your childhood, but you would have to give up a spiritual goal and opportunity to serve people in a foreign country that you had never met for two years, what would you do? Perhaps that would be an easier decision if you clearly understood who you are and what your purpose is.
Jenny Guthrie, wife of Kansas City Royals pitcher, Jeremy Guthrie, related a story about her husband when he was a minor league ball player in the Cleveland Indians farm system. Jeremy was at winter meetings with other prospects and one of the motivational speakers went around the room asking each prospect the question, "Who are you?"
"Brandon Phillips," came one response. The speaker challenge him, "I didn't ask what your name is." "I'm on a quest to the Major Leagues," another athlete declared. "I didn't ask where you are going." Jeremy Guthrie gave the simple and sincere answer, "I am a child of God." No sarcastic remark came in response.
For one thing, it is very difficult for someone to challenge a testimony. When Guthrie stated the simple truth of his divine heritage, I have no doubt that the Spirit of God was in that room. It must have touched the heart of all those present to hear the conviction of one who knows exactly who he is. And knowing that Jeremy Guthrie is the kind of man who can share his spiritual knowledge in front of all his peers, and without fear of consequence, helped me to understand the experiences that he related next.
A few years prior to those Cleveland Indians winter meetings Guthrie could have been drafted as high as the third round, but he made it clear that he intended to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a result he slipped to be the 15th round choice of the New York Mets, who happened to be the team he grew up rooting for. Talk about a dream come true! Most boys grow up closing their eyes, envisioning themselves in uniform for their favorite team one day. But very, very few ever come close to making that a reality.
Yet somehow Jeremy Guthrie was still suggesting to Mets executives that he would turn down the chance to play for his favorite team in order to stop playing baseball for two full years. He said that he still has no idea if it was a rhetorical question or a legitimate offer when he was asked "If we gave you one million dollars, would you still turn down the opportunity to play for the Mets and go on a church mission?"
He didn't hesitate. He chose to risk his entire future in baseball to serve a mission in Spain. He didn't pick up a baseball for two consecutive years, something most would view as a career-killing move, and he did it willingly.
Why? Guthrie's top priority isn't the game he loves, but rather the God he loves. When our primary focus is Heavenly Father, everything else falls into place. While his message was delivered specifically to LDS youth, the lesson is applicable to all of us. Speaking to those youth he said, "The Lord will not take away what he has planned for you if you choose to serve a mission. That is my promise to you."
To apply that to all of us I would like to make a minor change to that quote: "The Lord will not take away what he has planned for you if you choose to serve Him. That is my promise to you."
You are a child of God. Place God first and life will work out exactly how He intends it. That is a message and a promise from a man who seems uniquely qualified to give it. A man who walked away from baseball to serve his Father. A man who is about to take the mound in Game 3 of the World Series for his Kansas City Royals.
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UPDATE: Guthrie went 5.0 innings, giving up 4 hits and 2 runs while earning the win in his first ever World Series appearance, giving Kansas City a 2-1 series lead. In the deciding Game 7, Guthrie outlasted Giants starter Tim Hudson by going 3.1 innings, but was handed the loss after giving up 4 hits and 3 runs. Still a remarkable postseason for Jeremy Guthrie and the Royals!
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