Last season was my first time being a part of Detroit’s Home Plate event. For those of you who don’t know what Home Plate is, it’s a day for baseball fans to not only see a great game, but hear the Gospel proclaimed by Christian MLB athletes. In short, we get to give all glory to God and share how He’s been working in and through us as professional athletes, husbands, fathers and followers of Christ. It’s amazing!
In college I was able to share my story and how God was working in my life through baseball, but it certainly wasn’t the same scene — there weren’t 10,000 people in the stands listening. It was a really humbling opportunity to share my testimony on that kind of a stage in front of so many people! I’m grateful for the chance I had to do that and I’m excited to do it again this year at Comerica Park on May 12.
The biggest thing about this event is that it’s in no way for our glory, it’s all about God. It’s a day dedicated to show how great He is and all the great things He does for us. More than anything, this year I’m excited to share how God has been working in my life over the past year. Through the birth of our daughter, through my journey in baseball, and God providing us with a home, He’s shown me that everything is possible with Him. He is able to accomplish more than we hope for or imagine.
Growing up, I really looked up to professional athletes who were open about their faith; I thought that was the coolest thing. I would think, “God is so great, and He’s working through them!” I would hear stories about how God prepared them for battles they faced, empowered them to overcome, and made them courageous. Seeing players such as Tim Tebow and Drew Brees talk about their Christian faith was very instrumental for me. I realized that, just as in any walk of life, God can show how great He is — His power and plan — even through baseball.
Everyone has a different way to show their worship to God, which looks unique according to the way God designed you, but it can take place in everyone’s life. For me, that avenue is baseball. Baseball is just my platform; it’s a form of worship for me. The difference is that people may notice it more through baseball because I’m on TV.
But God can be glorified in any occupation. All we need to do is point to Him so our lives say, “Look how great God is! My life is simply a display of His great power and plan.” Our lives are meant to show He is great, He is all-powerful, and He is our King.
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” — Ephesians 3:20-21
— Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers pitcher
The Increase, part of the Sports Spectrum Network, is a community of Christian pro athletes sharing their personal stories of the decrease of self and the increase of Christ (John 3:30). Visit TheIncrease.com for more stories and videos.
