For freedom, humbly resist.

I had the day off today so I spent this morning reading Josh Hamilton's autobiography "Beyond Belief ". For those who don't know, Josh is an All Star outfielder for the Texas Rangers. He was the first round draft pick in 1999 and had the world by the tale. He signed a 3.93 million sign on bonus at 18 years old, I can only imagine the world he was entering. But for reasons only he can describe, he threw it all away for an addiction to cocaine and crack. He was at rock bottom and through the unconditional love of his grandmother and the realization that he needed to totally surrender to Jesus Christ', he gave it all to God. He knew he had no other choice. So he hit his knees and gave it all up to God, and he didn't do it for baseball, because at this point in his life his hope and desire for baseball was gone. When he got up off the floor he grabbed his Bible and began to read scripture, and this verse caught his attention. James 4:7

"Humble yourself before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you"

This verse became his weapon to fight off the devil. Every time he felt the attacks he would say this verse in his mind. Sometimes he would say it out loud. He trusted in the power of God's word.

What jumped out for me was how simple yet powerful, the remedy for his healing was. He didn't recite a fancy prayer with a special name tied to it. He simply dropped to his knees and asked God to do with him what He wanted to do with him. Everything for Josh was going to be on God's terms. Wow, I am still pondering this. I find myself wondering if I am at that place. Do I willingly surrender everything to God. Easy answer, No, but I will say that every morning I do pray that God will help me be a blessing to the people I am around. This is truly my hearts desire. I think the reminder from reading Josh's book is that it's the power God's word and the position of your heart that allows God to work in your life. A humble heart and a desire to resist the pitfalls of this world my flesh so desires. When Josh stopped at James 4:7 he read it over and over, and committed it to memory. A tool to fight the enemy, a fight he only won with God's continued help.

Josh doesn't live out anyone Else's life, he is now living the life God had planned for him. With humility he serves God by sharing his life and his God given talents with everyone. Josh's dad told him that his greatest sin was depriving people of his ability. Like Jesus parable about the the guy who buried his talents in the ground for his boss. It is a reminder to me that God can use the good and the bad of any ones life for His glory, if we let him. It's much easier for God to work in our lives when we have a humble heart.

I highly recommend this book to any one, especially if you have a child in sports.

Stay humble and God bless,

Russ.