The 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays was unforgettable. I’ll never forget rookie Trey Yesavage’s 12 strikeouts, Addison Barger’s grand slam as a pinch hitter, and Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting consecutive home runs in Game 5. Game 3, an 18-inning marathon, pushed everyone to their limits and concluded with Freddie Freeman’s walk-off homer in the early morning. As a Blue Jays fan, I was disappointed when Miguel Rojas, the Dodgers’ No. 9 hitter, tied the game with a home run in the 9th inning off Jeff Hoffman. This was his first home run in over a month, and it erased Toronto’s lead, leading to their loss in extra innings.
Some of the key moments, though, didn’t take place in the games. They took place in the years leading up to the series, and in the moments off the field. I was impressed by the optional team practices that everyone attended, particularly the player who flew across the country to train despite not playing in the next game. I was fascinated by Yamamoto taking notes in the dugout between innings. Players have spent years pursuing professional ball and are still paying to compete at the elite level.
The level of discipline and sacrifice exhibited by the athletes in the World Series was exceptional. No wonder Scripture repeatedly draws parallels between the Christian journey and athletic competition.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul portrays the Christian life as a race where competitors vie for a single prize. His message is clear: train with unwavering discipline. “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things… I discipline my body and keep it under control.”
Likewise, Hebrews 12:1 calls believers to “run with endurance the race set before us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us.” Anyone who has run a long distance knows that endurance takes time and effort. It results from deliberate preparation, consistent training, and disciplined habits.
In 2 Timothy 2:5, he reminds Timothy that “an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” Obedience forms the essential foundation of Christian living, just as rulebook adherence does in athletics.
Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 describes the Christian life as a race that requires faithful effort, but it’s worth it because of the crown of glory awaiting us. Just as teams work hard to win championships, we look to our reward as motivation for our obedience and sacrifice.
The World Series has made me reflect on my own life. If professional baseball players willingly embrace such rigorous discipline to earn a championship ring, how much more should we fully commit ourselves to the infinitely more valuable pursuit of Christian faithfulness? If athletes can dedicate themselves so completely to their game, we can give our all in serving God.
The World Series is over. My team didn’t win. But I’ve been thinking about the discipline and commitment that it took to play the game, and I’m asking God for the same discipline and commitment in my life and service for him.