“The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.” — Proverbs 15:33
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.” — C.S. Lewis
Mariano Rivera. To anyone who follows Major League Baseball, his name is nearly synonymous with words or phrases like automatic, lights out, dominant and game over. Hence the nickname “Sandman” — he put batters to sleep by his mere presence on the mound.
Rivera is regarded as one of the most dominant relievers in major league history. He saved at least 25 games in 15 consecutive seasons and posted an ERA under 2.00 in 11 seasons, both of which are records, and his career 2.21 ERA is the lowest in the live-ball era among qualified pitchers. A 13-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, he is MLB’s career leader with 652 saves.
And Rivera accomplished something recently that had never been done before — he became the first player ever to be elected unanimously to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA), garnering every single vote on 425 ballots cast by baseball writers.
What many may not know about Mariano Rivera is that he is a devout Christian. And for me personally, I’ve always been struck by the way he conducts himself. Quiet yet confident, but not star-struck or self-seeking. While I have never been a Yankees fan, I have always admired Mariano, and I believe God has too. This latest reward from the BBWAA is just God smiling down on and honoring one of His humble servants.
Look to the Lord’s example, as witnessed by Mariano Rivera, and carry yourself with humility and wisdom.
— Richard Strange
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