Shortstop Fields Life's Challenges with Abundant Faith
by Doug Greengard
March 19, 2004
(AgapePress) - In his second season as the starting shortstop for Major League Baseball's Houston Astros, Adam Everett is accustomed to balls bouncing the wrong way. It is simply one of the many challenges he faces in his high-profile position of trying to get opposing batters out.Everett, however, experiences peace -- even under pressure -- thanks to his personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
"Everything is magnified up here and you're saying, 'You know what? The Lord is with me,'" says Everett, who spent five seasons in the minors before his promotion to the big leagues. "I can make an error just like anyone else, but as long as I put my faith and trust in Him -- trusting Him with everything I've got -- then I'm going to be fine."
Everett wants to be the best player possible. But the former first-team All-American from the University of South Carolina understands that putting himself under undue pressure will only make matters worse. Everett knows that he must put his faith in Jesus -- and in no one else.
"I'm kind of going through some ups and downs and some struggles," adds Everett, who made a re-commitment to Christ during college. He recalls a conversation with his wife about his future in baseball, telling her: "If I play this game for another five or ten years or if I don't play for another day, I know that He is going to take care of us and everything is going to be fine.
"God is really pushing me toward really trusting Him this year -- and it's been an awesome year so far."
The former member of Team USA batted a respectable .256 in his rookie season of 2003. He also tied for seventh in the National League in sacrifice bunts with 11. Everett understands that God has promoted him to the big leagues, and that that platform is to be used to reach others with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
"The biggest thing is just let people know where you stand to begin with," said Everett. "We do that by the way we carry ourselves and by our language. What's on our heart is what's going to come out of our mouths; that's one of the biggest things -- what comes out of our mouths. I want people to say, 'Hey, this guy's a genuine guy.'"
Everett's heart to share God's goodness has a greater impact than a perfectly executed double play.
Doug Greengard directs Christian Sports Minute, a ministry that uses the testimonies of sports and well-known sports figures as a vehicle to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Doug is available to provide an inspiring, faith-filled message to your church, men's group, youth, or business.
