Programs Faith
Faith
Ed Hearn had a dream – to be a professional athlete – an NFL quarterback or a Major League catcher. But it was more than just a dream, it was his goal and he pursued it with great zeal.
In the beginning the journey towards God was paved by the faithfulness of our parents.
As a youngster, Ed’s parents cleverly shared their faith through the vehicle of Ed’s passion – sports and those who played the game at the highest level. He would even get to hear several athletes share their personal testimony of faith. With great admiration and a burning desire he would often pray that God would make him worthy of this kind of platform, both on and off the field.
Sometimes you have to be careful what you ask God for!
Yes, those prayers were answered. In 1986, Ed did get to be a Major League baseball player. He even played for a World Series championship team in his rookie year (NY Mets 1986). In that same year, he met a beautiful nurse and they would become teammates for life. The following season, he earned his first starting position when he was traded to the Kansas City Royals who hoped that he would be the final piece of the puzzle that would return them to the World Series.
Sometimes His plans are far different from ours.
Suddenly, after finding the woman he loves and embarking on what should be the most successful period in his life, the fairy tale came crashing down. His perfect world was shattered by a serious career-ending shoulder injury. Sidelined from the game he so dearly loved, his faith was put to the test.
Less than six months after Ed’s baseball career ended, he was diagnosed with three potentially life threatening health conditions. Once a strong, vibrant professional athlete, he was reduced to a man who could barely care for himself. He clung to his loving wife (a nurse), at times, even doubting his own survival; on at least one occasion even questioning his desire stay in the game.
Sometimes we just want to quit.
At times, Ed grappled with his Savior. Late one night, in a desperate attempt to comprehend the path he was being led down, he barreled through a backdoor of his church and cried out to his Creator. That night God led him to Corinthians 12:7-10:
“…so I was given a thorn in the flesh and three times I begged God to make me well again. Each time He said, `No, but I am with you; that is all you need. My strength shows up best in weak people.’ Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am. I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own abilities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. The less I have the more I depend on Him.”
From that night on, he who once seemed blind now began to see. Through a series of events, Ed slowly began to see how God had been preparing him for something far greater than just that of being a former Major League player.
Sometimes it takes a lot of innings before we really understand the score, but on His team, we know the game is already won.
God blessed Ed and fulfilled his youthful prayer of one day playing on the fields of his childhood heroes. But it wasn’t long before He allowed many “thorns in the flesh” to attach Ed’s body and thus initiating a much grander plan for his life. Today, because of his “weakness”, Ed has had the opportunity to share his journey of faith and hope to an ever-increasingly confused world.
“If just one person grows closer to the Lord as a result of the His work through me, every challenge the past thirty years was well worth the suffering.”
Sometimes His Plan is for us to be The Living Word.
“I believe He has designed all of us for greatness. But His plan may not be exactly what we have in mind for our lives. His plan certainly was not my plan! If we will just trust Him and then, get out of the way, He will work wonders in our lives!”
But ultimately, there is NO other bottom line.
“Yes, He privileged me to be a member of that 1986 World Championship New York Mets team. I have the prestigious honor to proudly wear a beautiful World Series ring as a symbol of what I once thought was the greatest thrill a man could have. Yet on this journey of faith, He has shown me the truth – the World Series and my days as a Major League player are nothing compared to the exhilaration of having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.”
And then Jesus, said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
Do you where the white jersey of His team? Are you willing to step up to the plate as our country (our World) faces the Bottom of the Ninth? Yes, regardless of the actions we are willing to take, the “game” has already been won by He who hung on the Cross. The question is, are you ready to be a team player or are there other gods more important in your life today?
