The Promised Land

By Cole Posey

Baseball, as with all sports, has a unique way of drawing parallels with life.

Adversity, teambuilding, and friendships are all great things we learn through sports that translate into our everyday lives.

Baseball has blessed me in so many ways, and I will forever be grateful for that. I hope I will be able to share some relevant lessons that have impacted me off and on the field.

As a little background, I started my collegiate career at Boise State University. I was there for one year before the program was cut due to COVID-19. Heartbroken over the decision, I then decided to transfer to the University of New Mexico, where I am currently.

“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

The realization of Bitter or Better isn’t always an easy one. 

Oftentimes it takes self-reflection and persistence. 

When presented with an unfavorable situation, you can get bitter, or you can get better. 

My sophomore year of college, I was playing less than I was accustomed to. I felt as if I was doing everything in my power to crack the lineup. Maybe it was enough, maybe it wasn’t. The moral is that when you are found in this situation, you have a choice. 

You can become pessimistic, complain to parents and teammates, and drag others down with you, or you can become better. You can use this trial to deepen your focus on your craft and learn how to deal with adversity with a grateful heart, as difficult as that is. Whenever you choose to become better, your perspective is changed along with your heart.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer”

Romans 12:12

Far too often, we place our identities, our happiness, and our worth in our sport. It is very easy to do, especially when the praise is reigning in. Baseball, like any other sport, will always leave you unsatisfied. There will never be enough success, wins, or recognition that will fill the yearning void inside. I have given my all to this game and this game has repaid me with so much: friendships, work ethic, and everlasting memories. However, internal peace and self-worth can only be supplied by the man above. That is why I place my identity in Jesus Christ. Baseball is what I do, but it is not who I am.

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast in this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness, for in these I delight.”

Jeremiah 9:23

The saying, “Don’t count the days, make the days count,” is Cliché, I know, but there is real power in this mindset. When you live a motivated and inspired lifestyle, you can have an impact on yourself and more importantly, others. When you count the days, you are yearning for the situation to be over. You aren’t in a mindset to be able to impact others where you are. On the contrary, when you are making the days count, you are always looking for the positive. You are determined to make the most out of the situation and this is contagious. This mindset will allow you to transform the stagnant into success.

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9

The greatest miracle is on the other side of your greatest disappointment. As difficult as this is to see at the moment, it couldn’t be closer to the truth. Oftentimes, our biggest growth occurs in times of trials and tribulations, if you allow it. 

Unfavorable situations are inevitable, a positive response is optional. When the program was cut at BSU, I was torn. When my sophomore year didn’t turn out the way I anticipated, it was tough. But what I failed to realize then that I realize now is that attitude and perspective change everything. Now that I have lived those scenarios, I can sympathize with others in similar situations. I can provide guidance and encouragement. These situations can transform you — if you let them.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7

When deciding which direction to take this story, many different things came into my mind. 

However, a basis of encouragement and authenticity was stuck in my heart. These lessons learned weren’t easy, but they were essential. I would’ve been remiss to not mention the enormous role that the Lord has played and will continue to throughout this journey. He has changed my heart through these circumstances, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I hope my story can be of encouragement to others going through similar situations. There is a promised land of many difficulties and trials in sports and in life. But these simple lessons I promise hold the way to making it through it all.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

James 1:2-3