Written by: Kaleb Kantola

My time at Lipscomb has been filled with unexpected challenges, but also incredible growth—especially in my faith. I first arrived on campus five years ago, coming from Oregon and not knowing a single person or even what the university looked like, so you can imagine how much of a culture change this was. I was just a kid with a dream of playing baseball at the highest level. Little did I know that I would face adversity right away.
At the start of my second year at Lipscomb, I tore my labrum and had to undergo surgery that put me out for the rest of that year and all of the next. During this time, the natural reaction is to feel bad for yourself—because it felt like everything I had worked for was slipping away.

But through these injuries, God began to do something deeper in me.

Without having baseball to lean on, I was in an identity crisis. I had to ask myself who I really was, because all I had ever known was that I was a baseball player. I hadn't centered my focus on being a man of God. During this time, while wrestling with the idea that my worth doesn't come from strikeouts or wins, I began to finally realize that my identity shouldn't be held in baseball—it's in Christ.

One of the people who helped shape this perspective the most was my head coach, Jeff Forehand. Even through painful years of rehab and a tough last few seasons, he constantly reminded us that life—and this game—isn't about us. He teaches us to serve others first and to put the team above ourselves. Along with this, he always reminds us that if we help enough people get what they are looking for, we will end up getting what we want out of life.
Every day on our practice plan we have Proverbs 11:25: "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." This helps to center us and serves as a great reminder to always go out of your way to refresh others. The reason all of these teachings are so powerful is because it's not just lip service—he truly lives this out in his life.

God has used Lipscomb, my injuries, and the people around me to help me grow spiritually. I have learned that even if I'm not able to contribute on the field, I can find great purpose in encouraging others and building my teammates up—because God teaches us that greatness in His kingdom doesn't come through success, but through service, surrender, and faithfulness.

I am thankful for the adversity I've faced during my time at Lipscomb, because it has not only brought me closer to the people around me, but it has brought me closer to God.

The last verse I want to leave you all with is Mark 10:45, which says: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."