For 14 Years John Smoltz

FOR 14 YEARS JOHN SMOLTZ dominated batters as a starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. His 14 playoff and World Series wins give him more postseason victories than any other pitcher in major league history. And his 163 wins, including 24 in 1996 when he won the National League Cy Young Award, aren’t too bad either.

But at the end of the 2001 season, Smoltz’s role on the team changed. After he returned from elbow surgery in 2000 and battled through setbacks in 2001, the Braves put Smoltz in the bull pen. He converted 10 of 11 save opportunities in 2001. And even when his arm felt 100 percent in 2002, the Braves kept him as their closer—a decision Smoltz wasn’t too happy about. He didn’t want to be a closer; he wanted to start.

Atlanta told Smoltz he could help the team more coming out of the bull pen, and eventually he accepted and excelled in his new role. In 2002 he set a National League record with 55 saves. And from May 29, 2002, to May 25, 2003, the Braves didn’t lose a game in which Smoltz appeared.

“You may have asked me five years ago what I was going to do, and I had everything planned out—none of which included two surgeries, being a closer, or even preaching the gospel to so many different people,” Smoltz says. “I can tell you that nothing that I wished or planned for has happened, and it’s all turned out for the best.”

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POINT John Smoltz became a closer to help his team. He didn’t want to at first, but God blessed him in his new role.

In life our roles sometimes change, for better or worse. In the Bible, God told Samuel to anoint Saul king of Israel. Saul was like a different person. Although his reign included many mistakes when he didn’t fully obey God, he did grow from a frightened man to a powerful king. God knows that our roles change from time to time, but he promises that no matter what task he gives—he will be with us when we follow him.

GOAL! Talk to a coach about the change in his or her role from player to teacher. Ask God to help you accept and deal with your changing roles in life.