The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

Full of Talent

A young man full of talent grows up in Latin America. What drives him is a promise of making the “MLB.” The city he lives in is known for hopeful tourists and hopeless prostitutes. Lights protect the tourists while hiding the shadows in the alley. The country’s social structure is unreliable, and corruption causes waves of nervousness for those needing help. However, this young man has tasted a new way of life because his father had already made a name for himself in the big leagues. He comes from a life without lack, and that drives his clout. Riddled with illness, the young man holds a promising future garnering hometown pride. All the boys know his name, wear his jersey, and dream of being like him. His frame is larger than most, and his feats are larger than life. He is a hero in a city longing for heroes.

This young man paves his way, moving beyond his father’s legend. He is out getting his shine as he signs an MLB contract worth $340 million. Everything is up and to the right! The heights of aspiration are maintained by humility, and with humility, the heights of aspiration offer humiliation without benevolence. His contract is for fourteen years, and the guarantee is reassuring for everyone. Until he pops on a test for performance-enhancing drugs. What was once a whisper is a billboard. The young ball player is punished for taking these drugs. The league makes him sit out for 80 games. That’s eighty games when the crowds won’t be shouting his name, and the team must fill the void. His effort to get an edge has pushed his team over the edge. He was celebrated, and now he is humiliated.

Why? Because he was not a man of his word. I am unaware of his faith, but a valuable lesson is in plain sight for any man of God. Be a man of your word. No matter what. In every situation. When being tempted to take another route. Be a man of your word when a shortcut can get you ahead quicker. Be a man of your word. At home. At work. In public. In private. Be a man of your word. Like Jesus.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:33-37, NIV84

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