Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Photo by Keith Allison

“Not as much as I should.”

It was August 1st, 2013.  The Pittsburgh Pirates were holding what would become their first annual Faith Night; providing players the opportunity to share their Christian Faith with their fans.  A little boy named Dylan stood before Andrew McCutchen and asked a profound question; “How many times have you read the Bible and how often do you read it?”

McCutchen answered; “Honestly, not as much as I should.”  In Joshua 1:8, the people of Israel were nearing the end of their 40 year trek though the wilderness.  God called Joshua to prepare to lead His people into the Promised Land, giving Him this command; “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.  How many of us can truly claim that those words describe us?  How often are we speaking God’s Words?  How often are we meditating on God’s Word?  Our answer to those questions is likely the same as McCutchen’s; “Honestly, not as much as I should!” 

On that warm summer night, McCutchen was not admitting defeat to a challenge too great for us to bear.  Instead, he showed the many ways that he does strive to keep God’s Word on His mouth and in his mind.  He explained how his mom sends him devotions every single day.  He spoke about how he was currently going through a study on the 23rd Psalm.  He explained that devotional time in God’s Word is something that he does every day.

As the evening progressed, another young boy named Ethan asked ‘Cutch’; “What is your favorite memory verse and why?”  His answer; Romans 8:28 – And we know that, in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  He explained to the young boy and to the crowd who listened in; “It just shows you that, no matter what you go through, there’s a reason for it, and it’s always gonna work for your good.  Regardless of how low you are.  Regardless of what you’re going through, He’s gonna see you through it and it’s gonna work together for your good and , you know, everything that we go through as people… that’s something that you always have to look at.  And  you have to think about the times that things weren’t going so good, but God see you through it.  And it always happens.  It always happens because God says so and, you know, God’s not a liar.  So,  that’s something that… that’s a verse that really sticks out to me.”

May we all strive to be in God’s Word daily and thus be reminded of His promises so that we never lose our way and never lose heart!

(If you would like to watch McCutchen answer all of the kid’s questions at the 2013 Faith Night Interview, check it out here)