King of the Hill
Theme for the Week: The Stuff of Leadership
Sunday, July 1
Key Bible Verse: Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).
Bonus Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:9-17
In a day when sports stars are noted for brash sound bites, the quiet and serious relief pitcher Rick Aguilera seems a breed apart. Reporters often see the lanky Aguilera running alone in the outfield, hours before the game. "I'm not a real vocal person," he says of his leadership style, "I lead best by example: trying to show a great work ethic and being prepared."
In 13 years on the mound for the Mets, Twins, Red Sox, and Cubs, the bearded Aguilera has appeared in 732 games. In 2000, he surpassed the 300-career-saves mark with 318 and is now the eighth all-time in that category. He's been a key member of two World Series championships. Aguilera not only leads on the field and in the locker room, he's also been a chapel leader for each team he's been with.
"Let's try to meet each other's needs," he says of his approach to chapels and Bible studies. "Let's set an
example of Jesus in the clubhouse for the nonbelievers in there. Let's show the way by the way we go about our daily work and lives."
—Steve Riach in Heart of a Champion
Prayer for the Week:
Lord, please develop in me those qualities that others will benefit from following.
Adapted from: Heart of a Champion (Broadman & Holman, 2001)
Inspiration from www.christianitytoday.com
