The 33-Year-Old Rookie
June 2008
If baseball gave out awards for determination or
stubbornness, one would definitely go to Chris Coate who spent 11 years in minor leagues before breaking into the
major leagues. Eleven years of
living in temporary apartments, riding old team buses, a revolving door of
coaches – that’s a long time to live on hope.
Chris loves the game of playing baseball, but years of living for the
dream of playing major league baseball tested his endurance & perseverance.
Most guys would have given up years earlier.
After growing up in Minnesota, idolizing Kirby Puckett,
Chris was an All-American pitcher & third-baseman at Division III Concordia
College in Moorhead, Minn. He
played minor league ball in places like Pawtuckett, Scranton, Fargo-Moorhead,
and Akron. He was determined to
make it to “the show,” as bush leaguers call the majors, but minor league
coaches kept moving him to different positions, including first-base,
second-base, catcher, third-base, and pitcher – yes, that’s every position
around the diamond, except outfielder. A
Christian, Chris never gave up on his dream, despite having to move his family
around every year. (see
www.chriscoate.com)
At age 33, Chris Coate finally enjoyed a dreamlike season
with the 2006 Philadelphia Phillies. The
highlight of his major league career was catching the final pitch that clinched
the 2007 National League East Division title for Philadelphia.
Patience, perseverance, & endurance are words that describe Chris.
How many of us work 11 years to fulfill a dream?
Some of us have, but some of us, including me, I confess, have given up
some of our aspirations. We long ago moved them to the back burner & didn’t
notice when they disappeared from our radar.
Following God is more like a long-distant marathon than a
sprint. In the Old Testament,
the Israelites endured 40 years in the wilderness, & then God responded to
their unfaithfulness by giving them another 40 years in the wilderness.
Job endured the loss of his family, business, & health, & in the
end, he was doubly blessed. In the
New Testament, the Apostle Paul endured beatings, shipwreck, & slander for
the sake of Christ’s gospel; his reward was many spiritual offspring.
The gospel was spread & churches were started because of Paul’s
perseverance.
What is God calling you to endure? Is your perseverance pulling you through a trying time?
When I feel discouraged, I think of Job’s endurance or Paul’s
perseverance. Sometimes I’m
reminded of Chris Coate’s 11 years in the minor leagues, pursuing a dream that
eventually became real.
When you’re discouraged, what keeps you going?
Perhaps you have another role model, or maybe one of the above examples
can help you endure. Hang in there. Don’t
give up. God often rewards
those who endure & persevere.
Many years ago, a mother & father endured a teenage son
who was a rotten, rebellious kid. The
mother kept praying for her son, despite her discouragement.
She endured much. At age 17, the son accepted Christ, and his attitude great
improved. That was a great reward
for her persevering prayers, because she died of cancer a year later.
Today, that son is your pastor.
To God be the Glory!
Pastor Randy