For those who know me, I am a Red Sox fan. My last few weeks have been exciting as I've watched every playoff game and celebrated every victory, including the team winning the World Series. There are some life lessons that can be learned from this team.
Last season they finished the year with the worst record in Major League Baseball. Think on that. Of all the teams, they were last place. Not next to last. Not the bottom five. The very last place. They lost more games than any other team. Have you ever felt that way in your life? No matter what you did, you just couldn't get out of the bottom of the "game of life." It is not that you are a bad person (player), but no matter how hard you try, you still find yourself coming in last. You just can't win! That is how the Red Sox team of 2012 felt.
So what happened over the winter?
Some changes had to take place. A new coach was brought in and the old one was kicked out. In your life, when changes are needed to get out of last place, you may need to find a new "coach." Who is it in your life that has a voice in calling your plays? Are they helping your progress or are they hindering your walk? Also, the team made some trades in order to bring in new players. Who is on your team? If you find you are stumbling in certain areas, perhaps it's time to evaluate those around you who may be causing you to lose in an area you know you are capable of winning. If you are trying to become a more positive person and find some on your team are always speaking negative, it may be time to let them go and bring in more positive "players." Part of life is being aware of where you are failing and evaluating the changes that need to be made. It takes courage to change and sometimes will involve hurt. It is painful to release from your life people you may care about, but who are hurting your journey more than they are helping.
One of the things I've heard many on the Red Sox team and in their organization talk about is how the team this year had a chemistry together, they have focused on having fun, and they all had a mission to win. Their motto throughout the season was "Find a Way." No matter what competition they faced, they believed you could always be victorious simply by finding a way. Since Spring Training they had their eyes set on winning the World Series. Read that again. The previous season they were in last place, but when the new season started, their goal was to be in first place. That is the beauty of a new season! When we move into a new season of life we need to forget the failures of our previous season. When given an opportunity to begin afresh our focus needs to remain on the current moment and not focus on the past.
There is another part of the story that I cannot overlook. The week of the beginning of the season was the bombing at the Boston Marathon. Having lived in Boston, I can tell you the serious passion and love the residents have for their baseball team. This is a team that began playing just days after their fans had experienced horror and tragedy. They were a people in need of hope and something to celebrate. The players knew this and took the responsibility seriously. While those around us may not have been through something as dramatic and public as a bombing, we all have people in our lives who are in need of encouragement.
There are people looking for something to celebrate. Your "game" in life is about more than just yourself. There are people watching who need to see that even after your failures, you can come back and win. Perhaps they are feeling they are in last place and there is no way out. Perhaps the life they currently know is all they think exists. Who is watching how you play your game? Do they see your focus, but also see you have fun as you are playing the game? Do they know the story of your past and see how coming into a new season has made a difference? Many on the Red Sox team have had to overcome personal adversity as well as professional. There are players who have had surgeries and players who have defeated cancer. There is a player who was signed in the Independent Leagues for $1! I think that would make me question my worth just a little bit. However, those battles did not stop them from pursuing the use of their gifts given by God. Have you let your personal adversities stop you from using your gifts? Why are you focusing on the battles you've faced rather than the call you've been given? Don't wait for Spring Training to make the necessary changes in your life. Start today and begin a new season. I can't wait to celebrate with you when you win your victory! Maybe we'll even have a parade for you too!
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