While an astute and powerful force in the batter’s box, Major League Baseball's Daniel Murphy’s continued spiritual growth and leadership opportunities are far from limited to his hitting expertise. While with the Washington Nationals, he was one locker removed from catcher Matt Wieters and just a short walk from outfielder Chris Heisey and infielder Stephen Drew. Those players are integrally involved in cultivating a Christ-centered culture within the team.
The four held one another accountable and built each other up as they navigated the often-muddy waters of living out their faith in professional athletics.
On road trips, Daniel’s room was most often the setting for the Christians on the team to gather and encourage one another in their walk.
“There's so much isolation in baseball. I say baseball, but there's so much isolation everywhere,” Daniel says. “That's totally the enemy; he wants to isolate us.”
The narrative of a baseball season inevitably has potholes along the way, magnifying the need for Daniel and his teammates to lean in together.
Moreover, it serves as a good time to remind each other that their performance, no matter how big it might appear on the scoreboard when they walk to the plate, does not define them. Together, they built solid relationships that remain rooted in Christ that keeps them anchored in His steadfast love.
“I know where there's hope and where there's joy and where there's peace,” says Daniel, “because I've tasted it."
Discussion Questions:
Think of two friends who help keep you accountable—what traits in them do you value?
In what areas of your life do you need encouragement?
How can you and your teammates spend time in God’s Word together?