by Carrie Lang
"The way he helped us, the way he played the game, on offense and defense. He played shortstop for us and he could run very well. He helped us in lots of ways. I [saw] a lot of shortstops in my career, and (he) was one of the best. He ranks right up there with the best." — teammate Tony Perez
"You can't separate (him) from Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Joe Morgan, or George Foster. (He) was right there with us." — teammate Tony Perez
Who is being referenced here? The answer: Davey Concepcion.
“Davey was the best shortstop in baseball during the 1970s. Lanky Davey Concepcion was a graceful fielder who made himself into a fine hitter and used his speed well on the base paths. He and Joe Morgan formed one of the finest all-around double play combinations in history. In nineteen seasons – all with the Reds – Concepcion played more than 2,100 games at the shortstop position. He was one of the last of the "Big Red Machine" everyday players to retire.”1
Where does Dave Concepcion rank among baseball greats?...Davey Concepcion ranks #25 among the Top 50 all-time at Shortstop.
Why did I choose to hype up this guy from nearly four decades ago? Well for the same reason, Jude mentioned in the beginning verses of his book. Davey Concepcion was a contender!
Jud 1:3 says: “Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.”
The scripture implies that:
- The writer was mentally bent on providing some information on a subject which was known and shared by Christians as a whole.
- The original intent of his letter was to provide reinforcement to commonly preached doctrines.
However, something was pulling at Jude’s heart to the point that the Bible infers that he applied his mind earnestly to what he really needed to write.
The word “Beloved” points to the fact that St. Jude had a strong affection for these saints. This is why something “caught” in his spirit and persuaded him to address a danger he saw related to the influence of false teachers. The other subject was important but this was urgent and critical.
So, what does it mean to contend?
The word here rendered “earnestly contend” - ἐπαγωνίζεσθαι epagōnizesthai - is one of those words used by the sacred writers which have allusion to the Grecian games. It means to contend upon / for or about anything. It represents the earnest effort put forth in the NFL playoffs or the last quarter or the Superbowl when the team is down… the earnest effort put forth in those games to obtain the prize.
When the scouts mark who is a Contending team in the late Summer Season of baseball, they are talking about those teams who are seriously pursuing the Playoffs, those with a good record or, those with a average record who are striving hard to make the runs – even when slugging or great pitching ability may not be in place. Contending teams may not have the best record but their Won-Loss record is slightly over .500 and when a clutch hit is needed in the ninth inning…a contending team responds with a winning hit.
Contenders are individuals like Plexico Burress who caught the winning catch in the Superbowl with only 39 seconds left. The odds were staked against him and his team but he kept striving. That’s just what contenders do.
Contenders are not those who don’t come to church, not those who skip reading their word, not those who forgot that I Corinthians 13 told us not to get puffed up with pride, and not to be self-seeking…
Contention is holding fast the principles of the Word of God AND MAINTAINING THEM against all opposition.
- Contention is maintaining truth by argument and by a solid, unwavering life.
- Contending is maintaining the Faith-à our belief system (faith is the dependent virtue which the gospel is built upon)
So:
If I’m not contending, I’m Doubting
If I’m not contending, I’m Worrying
If I’m not contending, I’m Probably sinning
If I’m not contending, I’m Probably not pleasing God
If I’m not contending, I’m Mixed up in some mess
If I’m not contending, I’m Complaining
If I’m not contending, I’m Slacking Off
If I’m not contending, I’m On strike from church
If I’m not contending, I’m I’m hooked on something which is providing an “artificial” pleasure to me (gossip, slander, addictive substance, unhealthy snacking, too much t.v….
If I’m not contending, I’m Mixed up in some worldly pursuit
If I’m not contending, I’m Causing trouble in my family
If I’m not contending, I’m Not fasting
Because Contenders are Focused
Contenders have their eyes on the prize
Contenders want that MLB World Series ring
Contenders play hard
Contenders are good switch hitters…doing whatever is necessaray to win the game
Gen 32:22 Jacob wrestled with God until dawn. All night long.
And the “messenger” could not prevail against Jacob -à eventually the Messenger had to touch his thigh and cause it to be out of joint-à The Messenger said “let me go because it’s morning.
Jacob replied “I WILL NOT LET YOU GO, EXCEPT THOU BLESS ME” (v.26)
And the Man changed Jacob’s name to Israel which means: “He struggles with God.” God told him, “for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and has prevailed.”
That’s why God changed his name. But it wasn’t just a name change, it was a life change. It was a change which would spread to multiple generations.
Bottomline: It’s ok to struggle with God. If you can’t seem to stop doing something you know is not right for you, then wrestle with God about it. If you smoke 64 cigarettes per week, cut back to 63 and then the next month 62. You may go up to smoking 70 but at least you can say, I tried…I’m a contender. Start from square one again.
If what your pastor preaches is in line with the word of God yet, you still don’t want to obey the tenets of his sermon, then tell God why…openly solicit God’s support. Invite a discussion with your pastors and explain your frustration. Don’t just walk away and say “this Christianity stuff is for the birds.” “I can’t behave in love.” “I can’t survive without sleeping with multiple partners.” No! Imitate the MLB player named Pete Rose…if he couldn’t get a hit, he’d bunt. When he bunted, he then slid head first into first base. Once on first base, he’d probably steal second. Pretty good for someone who did not even get an official hit. Clearly, when we celebrated Rose obtaining 4,192 hits during his career with the Reds. I was exuberating with joy as a kid and all I could say is, what a contender Pete Rose is.
Sometimes things will not go as expected in your life. Don’t let go of God during these times. If your child’s teacher says your son is not cut out for his grade. Don’t let go of the word in Psalm 112 which says your seed is mighty upon the earth.
Contenders don’t quit. They keep tugging and pulling…like great wrestlers. Jacob wrestled with God’s messenger. He had endured many harsh times in life. He had perpetuated some nasty acts against his very own family members. Jacob had lied, stole, deceived…he lived long enough to reap what he had sown towards his brother Esau. But one day Jacob, “the wrestler” took a strong hold of God’s man and said, I’m not turning loose until I get my complete blessing from God. I’m sorry for my sins but God, please make it right for me now.
1 From The Baseballpage.com