Nearly a week ago, St. Louis became shell-shocked when Albert Pujols signed with the Annaheim Angels. I will admit, I was not only surprised but disappointed. Honestly, I was even angry. 1 week later & though I will miss going to the ballpark & seeing #5 come up to the plate, I'm over it. A friend had posted a comment that a friend of his had made & hopefully he doesn't mind that I've chosen to use it...
"My last thought on Pujols: This is a perfect reminder of how silly our love of sports can be. Many of us are feeling 'betrayed' by him, but I would guess that few of us would have turned down a guarantee of 25 million dollars a year for the next 10 years. Ultimately, this is a bunch of grown men playing a kid's game for A LOT of money--and we're the suckers for devoting so much of our lives to it when there are so many better pursuits. Honestly, I'm glad for the perspective that this has provided me. If I care that much about Albert, it is too much. I need to be focused on what God has in mind for me, not what the Cardinals are doing (but I'll still enjoy them)." - Chris Bond
Many of us (myself at the top of the list) have been quick to judge this situation & insist that it was all about the money. Even if it was about the dollar sign, do we know Albert's heart & what he intends to do with the money? Is it even our business to begin with? Over the last 11 years, Albert has proven that he is dedicated to not only helping in the community but to aiding his home country of the Dominican Republic. Why should we think that his doing so would stop just because he will be in a different city? Have we forgotten that there are lost people in the City of Anaheim? Do we not care about the children in California that have Down Syndrome? Are we aware that there is a much larger Hispanic population in California than here in St. Louis & perhaps God will use Albert to minister there?
If you know me, you know I'm a HUGE baseball fan. I have a great love of the game & just like many others, admire Pujols' accomplishments in the game. At the same time, if I allow myself to be consumed with his leaving, I have taken my eyes off of Jesus. I will miss Pujols. I'll miss the thrill of his coming to the plate & the suspense that comes from wondering if he would knock one out of the park. I am thankful that I had a chance to go to Florida & see Albert up close. I'm happy that I live in the city that housed one of baseball's finest for 11 years. I was not alive to watch Stan the Man Musial play but I was here to see Albert. I'll have great memories for many years. I wish Pujols & his family the best though & pray that God uses his family in mighty ways to impact the City of Anaheim & that he would be a light to his Angel teammates.
While on a date a number of years ago, I was with a guy who was preparing to go to seminary. His desire was to one day move to Africa serving on the mission field. Opposed to baseball (he saw it as a waste of time), he wanted to know if I'd be able to be away from the game. I believe baseball is America's great pastime & I'm proud that my sister & I have had many years to enjoy watching games...watching them with our dad to be more specific. However, my desire for the nations to know Jesus far outweighs my love for baseball. I pray that as many are hurt, bitter & furious with Albert; they would pause a moment to first ask themselves when they were given permission to be Albert's judge & secondly, move forward knowing that there are things that are much more important. There is anger that is righteous & anger that is not. Being angry at Albert for leaving is not righteous. Daily, many are dying of starvation in North Korea, Eritrea, Haiti, Yemen & many other places. Everyday young children are exploited & sold into sex slavery in Sudan, Iran, Korea...again; all over the world. Right here in America, precious babies lives are cut short before they're even given a chance to live. Abortion runs rampant. I think these things provoke the anger of God (& should cause us to be angry) much more than Albert Pujols leaving St. Louis. God has called us to something far greater than baseball. I pray that our hearts would be weeping over lost souls; not over Albert's departure. Millions await the good news of Jesus Christ & His plan to give them life everlasting...such can't be found in baseball, Albert Pujols or millions of dollars. By all means, I've had to bow my knee & my heart in repentance for my attitude about this situation but I'm thankful to God for reminding me of that which truly matters.
