endev42 - documenting the meaning of life

Bobby Richardson sent us a number of things related to the quesetion. The first being a piece he wrote titled "A Purpose in Life"

These are rules to be repeated before each ball game.

When I graduated from high school I had an opportunity to fulfill an ambition of many young fellows—to enter professional baseball. I signed with the New York Yankees and reported to their farm club in Norfolk. I will never forget it. This was my first time away from home in a big city. The fact that I knew no one, nor even to whom I should report, was discouraging, and made me downhearted and lonely. About this time I received a letter from a former coach in which he quoted Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”This renewed my faith, brought me closer to God, and things were well.

The following year we were in spring training and word came that there was a boy coming down from a higher classification club about whom I noticed there was much comment. I wondered why, and after I got to know him, I found out. He was a dedicated Christian, had devoted his life fully to God, and some of the things he stood for were resented by other team members, perhaps because of the way they wanted to live their lives. But inwardly they had a respect and admiration that I’m sure drew them closer to God, as I was drawn.

We must have a purpose in life, and that purpose should be to please God—to know Him, to love Him, to walk with Him in our daily lives.

Baseball is a profession full of temptation, just as other professions, and it is a challenge to lead the Christian life, but a verse that was strengthened and challenged me, because I know to claim it means a completely surrendered life, is Galatians 2:20: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I realize simply that it is God who has give me the ability, the opportunity and certainly any supposed earthly glory that might come through playing ball. I enjoy the sport I am in, but only because I feel that this is where God would have me serve Him.

Thirteen years ago when I accepted Jesus Christ, my Saviour, I took John 3:16 at its word: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It was a wonderful day that I made this decision, and I am thankful that He sent His Son to die on the cross for me, that I, through His grace might have everlasting life by simply trusting in His complete work of salvation at Calvary.

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16). As we count up we find—

Only one life,

“T’will soon be past.

Only what’s done for Christian

Will last.

It matters not our profession on our field; the thing that counts for eternity is our personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

He also sent us:

1) His wife's obituary

2) An article titled "How Can We Know for Sure That We'll Go to Heaven?"

3) An article titled "Mickey Mantle His Final Inning"