Why You Do What You Do
Baseball in 2022 has seen records shattered and unbelievable accomplishments achieved. One player enhanced his future Hall of Fame resume. He did something great for baseball, but the reason he did it is what makes him special.
Albert Pujols plays for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is 42 years old and is supposed to be “over-the-hill,” but he is setting a new hill, and doing it for the greatest reason in the world.
Only three other players have hit 700 home runs in their careers—Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, and Hank Aaron. Albert Pujols hit his 700th home run on September 23, 2022. He has since hit a few more this season. Also, he is one of only two players who has had 3,000 hits during his career!
People are amazed at his performance. As one of his coaches said, “He’s hitting home runs in the major leagues against young kids that nowadays are throwing every pitch 95 to 100 mph, and he’s catching up to it like it’s no big deal. He’s the best hitter in the major leagues against left-handed pitching!”
Pujols has made it very clear that his life is not about baseball records but about introducing people to Jesus Christ. He says, “I’ve heard kids say that they want to be just like me when they grow up. They should know that I want to be like Jesus.”
He uses his baseball career as a platform to witness for Christ. He once said, “My life goal is to bring glory to Jesus. My life is not mostly dedicated to the Lord; it is 100% committed to Jesus Christ and His will. God has given me the ability to succeed in the game of baseball, but baseball is not the end. Baseball is a means by which my wife, Dee Dee, and I glorify God. Baseball is simply my platform to elevate Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior.”
Pujols and his wife have a foundation which serves children and families impacted by Down Syndrome. He also serves many impoverished people in the Dominican Republic.
Pujols states emphatically that baseball is not his chief ambition in life. He says, “Becoming a great baseball player is important to me, but it’s not my primary focus because I know the Hall of Fame is not my ultimate final destination.”
Wow—I love a man who has excelled in his sport and who has given all the glory to Jesus Christ. I wish every little league and high school baseball player could know about the faith of Albert Pujols. All the kids that want to be like him need to know that he just wants to be like Jesus. Maybe you want to share this blog today with some coaches and young people in your area.
You may not hit 700 home runs, or win accolades in any sport, but you do have a platform. How you spend your life is your platform for either making money or making ministry. It’s either bringing glory to you or bringing glory to God.
Jesus said, “ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (John 6:27)
Who do you want to be like?
