John "Bubba" Phillips — The Uncomplicated
Life
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1
. . . I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11
Most people believe they have to possess a lot of things to be happy. As a result, life gets pretty complicated. People who think this way never get enough.
That's because the only real satisfactions come from right living. I'm glad God revealed this to me early in my life. It has saved me from a lot of trouble.
I've tithed as far back as I can remember. I commit each day to God in prayer. And Sunday school and church have always had an important claim on my time.
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Even on the road, I do everything I can to attend church. In some cities like Kansas City and Washington, there are 9 A.M. services and I'm able to attend on Sunday evening. During the winter when I'm driving long distances in the South scouting football talent, I keep my car radio tuned for gospel broadcasts. God has often given me guidance and encouragement this way.
I know that many people believe right living is dull and dreary. They just don't know. They've never discovered the joy that can be found in the simple things of life.
I wasn't born into a rich family. As a boy I sold watermelons, ran a paper route and worked in a local post office, to help out at home. And in between chores, I was out in the back lot in dungarees and a T-shirt throwing a football or baseball around — perfectly happy!
All my life I've been able to enjoy athletics, spend time in the out-of-doors and appreciate the beauty of nature. I've had good health and friends. These things are priceless and no amount of material possessions can replace them.
The greatest satisfaction, however, is found in just doing God's will. Many times He will not provide you with the spectacular. Opportunities may seem pretty commonplace. But there is still pleasure in doing His will — whatever it may be. Living this way is rewarding in ways most people never guess. Added strength is provided for the problems of life that everyone faces sooner or later.
For example, a pitcher hits me at the plate once in a while. Sometimes it looks intentional. Maybe it is. But God provides me with patience and understanding.
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I pick up the ball and toss it back without a feeling of resentment. I realize the pitcher is working for a living too. Maybe he's feeling the pressure.
Then there's the poor season. My 1960 season was my worst in eight years of pro baseball. But I know that I was in every game, working offensively and defensively to the limit of my ability. And I was playing for the glory of God. Therefore the results are in His hands. I don't know what I'd do without this realization.
Sometimes there are tragedies in life that are really tough to take. My father was away from home on a business trip when he died of a cerebral hemorrhage. My brother was overseas in the armed forces. I was just a junior in high school. It was a terrific shock to everyone in the family. But I came to see that even circumstances like this are in His hands. Whether I understand them or not isn't really important, as long as I realize that He is in charge.
At one point in my baseball career, I broke my foot on first base trying to beat out a base hit. I was tempted to feel sorry for myself until I realized how many people were worse off than I. There's an old saying: "I complained because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet."
That's why I'm not complaining. Christ is everything to me. He has blessed me with a certain measure of success. But best of all, He has shown me that I can be happy with the simple things of life, the really important things.
I want to show my gratitude to Him by being a blessing to others.
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Lord God, thank You for life and health and the opportunities to do Your will wherever we are. Help us to find real joy in the basic things of life, even as Your Son did when He was here upon the earth. We ask it in His name. Amen.
John "Bubba" Phillips played third base with the 1959 American League Champion Chicago White Sox; Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers.
