A Pastor’s Perspective

“Imitate Me” by Mike Hill, pastor of Calvary Chapel Aberdeen (mjhill@ida.net)

 When I played baseball in Little League, there were several professional players I liked to imitate.  At bat, I dug my cleats into the ground, just like the pros.  I hit my shoes with the bat.  I slid on my stomach into second.  I even spit like the pros.

 Daniel Naulty was a professional baseball player who I’d like to imitate today.  During his years as a professional ballplayer in the late 90’s, he was addicted to performance-enhancing drugs.  Baseball was his God.  But after his team won the World Series and celebrated at the post-game party, he suddenly felt the emptiness of it all.  Still drunk, Naulty asked the limo driver, “Is this all there is to life?”  What could possibly be worth imitating from the life of this cheat?

 World magazine states, “Finding no comfort in the ensuing victory parades and parties, Naulty turned to God and the story of redemption he’d heard and dismissed countless times from Christian teammates.  He began attending church services—lots of church services—and felt the pangs of conviction for past shortcomings.” 

 The thing that bothered him most was the fact that he hindered other players from the opportunity to move up from the minor leagues due to his steroid use.  He himself would not have climbed up the ladder of success had he not been doped up.    

 Paul the apostle urged believers to “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1Corinthians 11:1).  Before his road to Damascus encounter with the risen and glorified Christ, Paul didn’t have many redeeming qualities to emulate.  He hated Jesus and anyone who dared to identify with Him.  But after his conversion and subsequent spiritual growth, he encouraged others to follow his example.  “Imitate me!” Why?  He’s basically saying, “Look at my life.  Who is #1 to me? Jesus!  For whom am I willing to die so others may know the truth?  Jesus!  What text do I solely rely upon?  The Word of God, the Bible!  Well then, imitate me” (Philippians 3:10; 1Corinthians 2:2; 2Timothy 3:16-4:6).  Are you able to tell others “Imitate me as I also imitate Christ”? 

 Daniel Naulty can say, “Imitate me.”  Why?  He was willing to come to terms with his sin.  He was willing to identify the damage done in his life and the lives of others and do something about it.  He turned 180 degrees and began to imitate Jesus.  Before the recent probe into steroid usage, eight years ago Naulty voluntarily and publicly admitted his past addiction…he acknowledged that his identity as a major league ballplayer was a fraud.  He experienced the grace and forgiveness of the Lord.  From then on “he has spent the past seven years asking others to learn from his mistakes.  Now, other ballplayers can learn from his example.”  I may not spit like him, but we imitate the same Hero of all.