Earlier this week, I stumble upon this article featuring Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton. For those unaware he is a recovered alcoholic/drug addict who gave his life over to Christ when he reached the bottom. Since then, he uses his platform as an opportunity to declare the transforming power of the gospel. He has done numerous interviews and documentaries, which I would encourage anyone to seek out.
He looks like the stereotypical ex-con with tattoos just about everywhere. Some he has gotten since coming to Christ while others were the results of his lifestyle. The latter, he says, are daily reminders of where he's been and what he wants desperately to stay away from. One of the more recent tattoos has a list of items numbered by their importance. First is God followed by family with baseball being the fifth of five items. Under the list is an asterisk which says something to the effect of number five being impossible without one through four staying in their correct order. He understands his talents and skills as gifts from God, and he wants nothing more than to please Him with them.
The reason I bring this particular article up in because last year for one night Josh Hamilton fell back into his old lifestyle. Pictures were posted of him at a bar over consuming on alcohol and behaving as such. The media quickly ripped him up given his outspoken message. However, they quickly found out Hamilton had already confessed to his wife, children, friends, coaches, and teammates about the incident the day after it happened. He humbly admitted taking his eyes off Christ as he pursued his glory. His most recent decision reaffirms his commitment to the gospel. It should also be an encouragement to those of us who struggle with an assortment of sins. The Bible says to "resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Josh Hamilton gave a great example of how to resist well and experience the blessings that come.
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