Philippians 1:27 (NIV)
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy
of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about
you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving
together as one for the faith of the gospel.
As the Tigers prepare for the playoff schedule and
hopefully a World Series birth it reminded me of one of the great all time
Tigers.
Have you ever heard of Hank Greenberg? The year was 1934.
For the first time in 25 years, the Detroit Tigers were a strong team who had
an excellent chance to play in baseball's prestigious World Series. Hank was a
key player on a team that had come to rely on his superb skills at first base,
and his strong batting, to win games. An important and decisive game was
scheduled on Yom Kippur. Hank, the son of Romanian immigrants to the United
States, announced that he would not don his uniform and play on this day, one
of the most sacred of Hebrew fasts.
The city of Detroit was outraged. Citizens screamed that
the Day of Atonement could be celebrated any year, but this year the Tigers
may go all the way to the Series! Anti-Semitic remarks were viciously hurled,
but Hank Greenberg remained resolute.
The Detroit Tigers indeed lost that day, although the
team did secure the pennant that year. And Hank, when more rational minds
prevailed, attained the respect of the community. In fact, a poem was written
and published honoring the man who held steadfastly to his beliefs. The tribute
ended with this verse:
Came Yom Kippur - Holy fast day world-wide over to the
Jews, And Hank Greenberg to his teaching and the old tradition true Spent the
day among his people and he didn't come to play.
Said Murphy to Mulrooney, "We shall lose the game
today! We shall miss him in the infield and shall miss him at the bat, But he's
true to his religion - and I honor him for that!"
Hank still teaches us an important lesson in how to live
effectively. He decided what was important to him and, regardless of pressure
applied, he honored his own values. Hank Greenberg -- not the team, nor the
coaches, nor even emotional Detroit fans -- set his agenda. What he did
required tremendous courage. He let nobody lower standards he had chosen for
himself. And though the team lost that day, the city of Detroit won because it
gained an important role model in a young man who courageously followed an
inner voice.
Choosing our own way may not always be easy. But
effective living occurs once we decide how we will live our lives and,
regardless of outside pressure, we honor that decision.
If you are struggling with a difficult decision today,
what is your inner voice leading you to do? Perhaps that is the voice that
should be honored. Turn it over to the Lord and have Him lead you in the way you
should go.
Dear Lord, when the difficult decisions come our way help
us to stand firm with the conviction we have. Help us follow what You would
have for us to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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