Living a Life of Courage

Kevin Burrell on May 13, 2026

 

“But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River.”

Exodus 2:3

 

LIVING A LIFE OF COURAGE

What a name! “Jochebed.”

Ever heard of her? Don’t feel bad. Most haven’t.

Jochebed’s story is one of the clearest pictures of courage in Scripture. She was the mother of Moses. In a season where fear ruled Egypt and Hebrew baby boys were marked for death, Jochebed refused to surrender her son without a fight. She hid Moses as long as she could. She protected him with everything she had. She crafted a basket, sealed it carefully with tar and pitch, and placed him among the reeds of the Nile. Every detail was intentional. Every action was an act of love.

But eventually, courage required something even harder.

She had to let go.

Ever been there? Imagine the weight of that moment. A mother placing her baby into a river she could no longer control. Jochebed could build the basket, but she could not steer the current. She could prepare Moses, but she could not protect him forever. At some point, her faith had to go farther than her hands could reach.

Like a fork in the road, that is where courage and surrender meet.

Many times, we think courage means holding on tighter, fighting harder, and controlling more. However, biblical courage is trusting God when we no longer have control over the outcome. It is doing everything we can do and then entrusting the rest to God.

“Let go and let God” sounds simple until you are standing at the edge of your own “Nile River.”

Maybe it is your child, your future, your career, your marriage, your health, your calling, or a prayer you have carried for years. We want guarantees. We want certainty. We want clarity. We want to know how everything will turn out before we release it into God’s hands. But faith doesn’t work that way.

Jochebed teaches us that surrender is not weakness. It is courage in its purest form.

She trusted that the God who gave her Moses was able to protect him better than she ever could. And God did more than preserve Moses’ life. He raised him up to become a deliverer for an entire nation.

Listen closely: What if the one thing you are struggling to release is the very thing God wants to use for your good and for His glory?

Courage means obeying God even when your fear is louder. Courage means trusting Him with your unanswered questions. Courage means believing that His hands are safer than your control.

Sometimes faith looks like building the basket, and sometimes faith looks like placing it in the river.

Both require courage!

Today, God may be asking you to release something you have been gripping tightly. Not because He wants to take it from you, but because He wants you to trust Him with it. The same God who watched over Moses in the Nile is the same God who is watching over you now.

You may not control the current, but you can trust the One who does.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Enduring Pain and Hardships

Kevin Burrell on May 6, 2026

 

“We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.” 

2 Thessalonians 1:4

 

ENDURING PAIN AND HARDSHIPS

There is something deeply human about pain. We spend much of our lives trying to avoid it, ignore it, numb it, or make sense of it. To understand this, consider the rare birth condition known as “congenital insensitivity to pain” (CIP).

Approximately 1 in 125 million newborns are born with CIP and cannot feel physical pain. At first glance, this might seem like a blessing: no discomfort, no agony, no distress. However, in reality, it is incredibly dangerous. Pain is the body’s warning system. Without it, injuries go unnoticed, infections spread, and harm multiplies silently. What appears to be freedom from pain is actually vulnerability to greater damage.

In a similar way, spiritual and emotional pain in our lives serves a purpose. It alerts us, shapes us, and is designed to draw us closer to God. Without it, we might drift, unaware of deeper issues within us and our need for God’s presence in our lives.

The Apostle Paul echoes this truth in 2 Thessalonians 1:4:

“We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.”

Don’t miss that.

Notice what is being celebrated: not comfort, but endurance; not ease, but faithfulness. Pain has a way of sharpening our awareness of God’s voice. In seasons of comfort, it is easy for us to become self-reliant. But in pain and hardship, we listen more closely. We pray more earnestly. We depend more fully. The days of pain often become the days of deepest intimacy with God.

Listen closely: I don’t know what pain or hardship you are enduring today. Maybe the sudden loss of a parent, spouse, child, or job. Maybe a divorce, a terminal disease, a wayward child, or a broken relationship.

Ignoring God during suffering is like ignoring pain in the body; it leads to deeper harm. However, leaning in, listening, and trusting God in the midst of your pain transforms suffering into something meaningful. It becomes a place where faith is refined, character is strengthened, and Christ is made known in you and through you.

When pain comes, and it will, whether through hardship, loss, or persecution, do not rush to silence it. Let it speak. Let it lead you to intimacy with God. Listen carefully in those moments, because God often speaks most clearly in the valleys.

C. S. Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain.”

Pain is not the absence of God. Most often, it is the very place where His presence becomes most real.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

God’s Calling on Your Life

Kevin Burrell on April 29, 2026

 

“I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 1:5

 

GOD’S CALLING ON YOUR LIFE

Recently, I had a conversation with a D1 college head baseball coach. He made an interesting statement. He said, “I am a follower of Christ. I am a believer, but I am not equipped and feel inadequate about my spiritual calling and purpose as a coach where God has planted me.”

Quite honestly, I sense that this is the experience of many who are in the same position as this head coach.

In Jeremiah 1:5, this powerful declaration from God to the young prophet Jeremiah reveals God’s sovereign purpose over our lives. Even before Jeremiah existed, God had already decided his identity and calling.

The verse divides into three clear sections, each building on the previous one, and shows the depth of God’s intentional plan for Jeremiah’s life—and your life as well.

• “I chose you before I formed you in the womb.”

You are not an accident. Before your parents met, before your first heartbeat, before any of your successes or failures, God already chose you. This brings deep security: your worth is not earned but given. When you feel unseen or unqualified, untrained or inadequate, remember that God’s choice of you happened in eternity past, before the foundation of the world.

Q: Where in your life are you still trying to “earn” God’s love instead of resting in the fact that He already chose you?

• “I set you apart before you were born.”

Being “set apart” means you are called to be different, not for your own glory, but for God’s. It can feel uncomfortable (Jeremiah certainly felt inadequate), but it protects you and equips you for what God has prepared. It is God’s responsibility to see it through. He consecrated you. He sanctified you. He set you apart. Therefore, He will see it through. In a world that pressures us to blend in, this is a reminder that your distinctiveness is a gift, not a burden.

Q: What areas of your life does God want you to live as “set apart” right now—perhaps in your time, relationships, speech, career, or ambitions?

• “I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

God’s calling on your life is bigger than your comfort zone. You may not be a prophet, but God has appointed you for a purpose, whether as a coach, scout, parent, friend, or disciple-making leader. Your assignment flows out of your identity (chosen and set apart). Even when the task feels too big, the same God who appointed you will empower you.

Q: What specific “appointment” or role is God calling you into right now? Are you resisting it because of fear, like Jeremiah did initially?

Listen closely: God is speaking directly to you through Jeremiah 1:5. Before you took your first breath, God looked at your life and made three unshakable declarations:

He chose you.
He set you apart.
He appointed you.

Let that sink deep inside your soul.

Stop living like you have to earn a place in God’s heart. You were marked as His before you were born. You have a specific purpose and assignment on this earth. It is bigger than your comfort, your fears, and your excuses. The same God who called Jeremiah to speak to nations is the same God who is calling you to your own mission, right where He has planted you.

Now rise up and walk in it. The God who formed you is with you. The God who called you will equip you. The question is no longer “Are you enough?” but “Will you trust and obey the One who is?”

You were chosen for such a time as this. Go live like it.

 

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Pressure or Priority

Kevin Burrell on April 22, 2026

 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

PRESSURE OR PRIORITY

It was the fall of 2015 in Conway, South Carolina. Head baseball coach Gary Gilmore stood near the dugout. The stadium was nearly empty; however, Coach Gilmore could still hear it.

The noise.
The expectations.
The pressure.

For years, it had followed him.

• Win the CWS.
• Build a national program.
• Make history.
• Do more. Be more. Prove it again.

Every season became a new test. Every game carried weight. Every decision felt like it had something riding on it.

Players saw it, and coaches felt it. Coach Gilmore was leading and coaching by “pressure,” not “priority.”

Then, one fall afternoon in 2015, I slipped Coach Gilmore a book called Lead for God’s Sake and asked him to read it. He did, and it transformed his focus and impacted the 2016 season.

Coach Gilmore began living, leading, and coaching by “priority,” not “pressure.”

The pressure to win hadn’t disappeared; however, it no longer dominated and controlled his life.

Priority did. Loving God, loving people, and loving his players.

As the 2016 season went on, fans would still talk about wins, records, and the potential for a CWS championship run.

However, the players—those who sat in the dugout, rode the bus, heard the words, and felt the shift—carried something deeper within them.

How?

Because Coach Gilmore had learned something that changed everything:

“Pressure” builds performance, but “priority” builds people.

And at the end of that magical 2016 season, Coach Gilmore was a Division I College World Series champion.

All because he chose to live, coach, and manage his life under “priority,” not “pressure.”

In a similar way, there are common cultural forces that seek to shape our choices and identity to live under “pressure.”

• Performance and success
• Appearance and image
• Position and power
• Popularity and approval
• Possessions and materialism
• Independence and self-reliance

In contrast, Scripture consistently redirects our focus toward living our lives under “priority.”

• Relationship with God
• Character, conduct, and integrity
• Love for others
• Eternal perspective and impact
• Dependence on God

Listen closely: The world says, “Prove yourself, impress others, and get more.” That is managing life under “pressure.”

God says, “Know me, love others, and trust me.” That is managing life under “priority.”

Which way are you living your life?

Pressure or priority?

Just ask Coach Gilmore.

 

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Please Be Patient – God’s Number One Pick

Kevin Burrell on April 15, 2026

 

God the Father knew you and chose you long ago.

1 Peter 1:2

 

GOD’S NUMBER ONE PICK

As the Major League Baseball draft approaches in July 2026, scouting departments, analytics teams, and front offices across the country are deep in preparation. MLB scouts will have spent countless hours on the road, watching games in cold weather, hot sun, and bright lights. As the draft approaches, scouts and executives will gather in war rooms across the country, debating, evaluating, and refining their draft boards. Every decision matters because one pick can impact the future of an organization.

These teams aren’t simply guessing; they’re choosing—intentionally, carefully, and purposefully. They’re not just looking for talent; they’re looking for the right fit—the player who has the right talent, character, competitiveness, and makeup. The player who will grow, develop, and one day help bring a World Series championship to their organization. And when draft day finally arrives, names are called because a scout saw something special in a player long before anyone else noticed.

In a similar way, Scripture reminds us that, as believers, God’s choice of us was never rushed, never uncertain, and never accidental.

“God the Father knew you before the foundation of the world and chose you long ago.”

Let that sink in.

Before you were ever born. Before you ever proved yourself. Before you ever succeeded or failed. Before anyone else formed an opinion about you… God had already made His decision.

While scouts evaluate based on talent, skill set, and performance, God chose you based on His unconditional love. While teams hope their pick will develop into something great, God chose you knowing exactly who you are and who you are becoming. There is no uncertainty in His selection—no second-guessing, no regret.

• You are not a last-minute pick.
• You are not overlooked.
• You are not a backup plan.

You are God’s No. 1 pick—whether you believe it or fully understand it.

And even more incredible—His decision wasn’t made after watching your “clips” or “highlights.” It was made before the foundation of the world. Before time began, He saw you, wanted you, put His hand on you, and called you His own (Jeremiah 1:5).

He said, “You are Mine!”

Listen closely: when you feel like you’re striving to prove your self-worth, remember—the decision about you has already been made. When you feel overlooked or forgotten, remember—you’ve already been chosen. When life feels uncertain, remember—your future is secure in the hands of the One who picked you with purpose.

Today, rest in this truth:

You don’t have to earn your place. You’ve already been picked, chosen, set apart, and are greatly loved by God the Father.

Because the God who chose you will be faithful to complete the work He started in you.

That is the amazing love of God.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Please Be Patient – Guard Your Name

Kevin Burrell on April 8, 2026

 

A good name; earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity is more desirable than great riches; and being held in high esteem is better than silver and gold.

Proverbs 22:1

 

GUARD YOUR NAME

A high school football coach was famously known for winning games, but what people remembered most about him was how he won.

With the region championship game on the line, the referee missed a call that clearly favored the coach’s team. The opposing team began to protest; however, before it could escalate, the head coach walked over and quietly told the official the truth, “The call should be reversed.”

The crowd groaned, assistant coaches stared in disbelief, and the players looked stunned and confused. With an overtime field goal, the region championship was lost by one point. In the locker room, silence hung heavy as the loss settled in.

Decades later, old teammates gathered for the funeral of their once head football coach. No one mentioned the championship that slipped away. Instead, player after player spoke about the moment that defined their coach. They shared that integrity mattered more than trophies, and a man’s name was worth more than the final score. The truth is that the coach never regretted his decision. Why? Because he understood that a “good name” is earned, guarded with honor, and can shape the lives of athletes long after the final whistle blows.

In a world that constantly measures success by wealth, power, position, and visibility, God gently but firmly redirects our focus. Proverbs 22:1 reminds us that “our name” is of far greater value than anything we own. A good name is not built overnight, nor is it sustained by appearance alone. It is formed and preserved through a life that is consistently shaped by godly character, conduct, and integrity.

Proverbs 22:1 highlights four essential pillars that uphold a good name. Don’t miss these:

1. Honorable Behavior

Honorable behavior is how our faith shows up in everyday life. It’s choosing honesty when dishonesty would be easier, fairness when cutting corners would benefit us, and doing the right thing when no one is watching. Honor is not about perfection, but it is about consistency. People learn to trust our name when our actions align with our convictions, and our convictions align with our words.

2. Godly Wisdom

A good name is rooted in wise choices, and true wisdom begins with a holy reverence for God. Godly wisdom helps us discern not just what we can do, but what we must do. It shapes our responses, tempers our speech, and guides our decisions. Seek God’s wisdom rather than relying solely on your own understanding.

3. Moral Courage

Keeping a good name requires courage, and a lot of it. Moral courage is the strength to stand firm in doing what is right, even when it’s costly or unpopular. It is saying no when compromise is expected and standing for truth when silence would be safer. A good name is not built by blending in, but by faithfully living out convictions rooted in God’s truth. Moral courage declares that our loyalty is first to God, not to comfort or the approval of others.

4. Personal Integrity

Integrity is the foundation that holds everything together. It is being the same person in private as you are in public. Integrity protects a good name because it leaves no room for hypocrisy. While riches can be lost and status can fade, integrity endures. It creates a life that can withstand scrutiny and a name that can be spoken with high esteem and confidence.

Listen closely: A good name is a gift from God, but it is also a great responsibility. It must be earned, carefully built, and diligently guarded. Riches may open doors, but a good name (your name) builds trust, honors God, and leaves a legacy that outlives material gain. Value and honor your name, because in the end, it is how you will be remembered.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Please Be Patient – Student Disciple

Kevin Burrell on April 1, 2026

 

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12

 

PLEASE BE PATIENT – STUDENT DISCIPLE

Last week, while I was driving on the interstate, I saw a bumper sticker that read:

“Please be patient—student driver.”

It made me smile, but it also made me think.

When we see that sticker, most of us immediately give a little more grace. We expect a wide turn, a sudden brake, or a hesitant lane change. Why? Because we understand that the person behind the wheel is still learning. They’re not experienced yet. They are going to make mistakes. That’s part of the process of becoming a fully trained driver.

In the same way, we need that same heart posture when it comes to new disciples of Christ.

Young believers are spiritual “student drivers.” They are learning how to follow Jesus, how to hear His voice, how to read the Bible, how to walk in obedience, how to repent, how to trust, and how to grow spiritually. And just like anyone learning something new, they are going to mess up. They are going to fail. They are going to make mistakes. They are going to have moments of immaturity. They may even let us down.

But so have we.

The truth is, all of us are still a work in process. None of us has arrived. Every spiritually mature believer today was once a brand-new follower of Jesus, trying to figure out what it meant to live a surrendered life. Growth takes time. Sanctification takes time. Spiritual maturity takes time.

That’s why Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:12 that we are to “clothe ourselves” with five specific attributes:

  1. Mercy—Young disciples need mercy because they will stumble. They may repeat mistakes, wrestle with old habits, or struggle to understand truth right away. Mercy reminds us not to write people off when they are still learning to walk with Jesus.
  2. Kindness—Correction without kindness can crush a new believer. Kindness creates safety. It reminds them that growth in Christ is not about perfection overnight, but about faithfully following Him one step at a time.
  3. Humility—It remembers, “That could be me… and at one point, it was.” It keeps us from becoming harsh, prideful, or impatient with someone else’s spiritual growth process. Humility allows us to walk beside people instead of looking down on them.
  4. Gentleness—Not every lesson needs to come with force. Gentleness matters when someone is fragile, confused, ashamed, or discouraged. A gentle response can keep a struggling disciple from giving up entirely.
  5. Patience—This may be the hardest one of all. We often want people to grow faster, change more quickly, and mature sooner. But patience recognizes that God is writing their story. Just as the Lord has been patient with us, we must be patient with new disciples of Christ.

Listen closely: Don’t forget these five attributes. Getting angry at a student driver for not handling the road like a professional is unrealistic, and honestly, it’s unfair.

Discipleship is not just about teaching truth; it’s also about making room for spiritual growth.

Start seeing new believers with a spiritual bumper sticker over their lives: “Please be patient—student disciple.”

And if you’re honest, maybe that sticker still belongs on you as well.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Fan or Follower?

Kevin Burrell on March 25, 2026

 

At this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

John 6:66-67

 

FAN OR FOLLOWER?

Imagine a crowded stadium on game day. Thousands of people fill the seats wearing jerseys, waving banners, and cheering loudly for their favorite team. They know the players’ names, sing the fight song, and celebrate every victory. They are passionate fans.

But when the game ends, those fans go home. They don’t attend practice the next morning. They don’t run the drills. They don’t watch film. They don’t endure the discipline, the sweat, the sacrifice, or the cost of being on the team.

A player, however, lives a completely different reality. The player shows up early. The player trains when it’s hard, listens to the coach, follows the playbook, studies video, and stays committed even when the crowd disappears. Being on the team requires obedience, sacrifice, and daily commitment.

In the same way, there is a difference between being a fan of Jesus and being a follower of Jesus. Fans admire Jesus from a distance. They like His teachings, enjoy the songs about Him, and may cheer when they hear inspiring sermons. But admiration from the seats costs very little.

Followers step onto the playing field. Followers listen to Jesus and shape their lives around His words. They choose forgiveness when it’s difficult, love when it’s inconvenient, and obedience when it’s costly.

Following Jesus means surrendering control and trusting Him with every area of life.

Jesus never called people to be His fans. He called them to be fully trained disciples. He called them to be committed followers.

Jesus fed 5,000, and many followed Him for food and miracles. But when Jesus began teaching hard truths, most walked away.

Jesus often taught in synagogues. Many listened, but few accepted His message.

Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane with eleven disciples before His arrest. Eight stayed near the entrance. Three went further to pray. All fell asleep. And only one stood by Him at the foot of the cross.

Listen closely: here is the hard truth. The closer you get to the cross, the smaller the crowd becomes.

I encourage you today, don’t simply be a “fan” of Jesus—be a committed “follower” of Jesus. Don’t leave. Don’t walk away. Don’t abandon Him.

Be bold. Be committed. Be faithful.

Be His disciple!

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

God’s Not Done with You

Kevin Burrell on March 11, 2026

 

When Joshua was an old man, the Lord said to him, “You are old, and much land remains to be conquered.”

Joshua 13:1

 

GOD’S NOT DONE WITH YOU

Harland Sanders was born in 1890 near Henryville, Indiana. He grew up facing hardships, taking on adult responsibilities early after his father died. Throughout his life, he worked an array of jobs: farmhand, soldier, streetcar conductor, railroad worker, salesman, and lawyer, rarely finding long term stability. Yet he never stopped searching for an opportunity that fit.

That opportunity finally arrived in his 40s when he began cooking for travelers at a gas station in Corbin, Kentucky. His homemade meals became so popular that he opened a small restaurant and developed the pressure fried chicken and secret spice blend that would later become known as “Kentucky Fried Chicken.”

It was not until Sanders’ late 60s that KFC made a worldwide impact. Sanders did not build his empire in his youth. He built it in his senior years. His story stands as a powerful reminder that age is never an excuse to stop pursuing a dream that God has placed in your heart.

In a similar way, age has a way of whispering lies to us…

• “Your best days are behind you.”

• “You have done enough. Someone younger can take it from here.”

• “Just settle down. God surely is not expecting much from you now.”

However, Scripture cuts straight through those lies with a beam of truth. Joshua was likely between 80 and 90 years old when God spoke these words to him in Book of Joshua 13:1.

By any earthly measure, Joshua’s résumé was full: battles won, faith proven, leadership demonstrated. Yet when God looked at Joshua, He did not see a man who was finished. He saw a man He could still use.

God said, “There is still much land to be conquered.”

In other words, “Yes, Joshua, you are an old man, but get up, pal. I am not done with you!”

The world retires people. God reassigns them. The world sees limits. God sees availability. The world measures age. God measures obedience.

Joshua’s story teaches us that God does not shelve His children because of their age. He empowers them in every season for His purpose. If anything, age often sharpens what youth cannot: wisdom, perspective, steadiness, patience, and an ear tuned to God’s voice.

Listen closely: the same is true for you. Whether you are entering your later years or simply feel past your prime, hear this truth:

“If you are still breathing, God is still building.”

There is land yet to conquer. There are prayers yet to pray. There are people yet to disciple. Lives to encourage. Wisdom to pass on. Kingdom work to engage in. Battles still needing a seasoned warrior.

Do not let your age become an excuse to retreat to the sidelines, or to your sofa. Do not quit. Do not give up. Do not put life on cruise control. Do not assume God has moved on to someone younger. God does not look at your ability. He is looking for your availability. Finish well.

Submit. Surrender. Obey. Stay faithful. Keep saying yes to the One who never stops working through surrendered hearts.

God is not finished with you. Not today. Not at your age. Not ever, until He calls you home.

Just ask Joshua when you see him.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Clips

Kevin Burrell on March 4, 2026

 

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.

Mark 1:35

 

CLIPS

Major League Baseball scouts, college coaches, recruiting coordinators, and R&D departments place great value on analyzing video. They spend countless hours watching “clips” of potential prospects. They slow the film down, rewind key moments, and study tendencies and details—how a hitter loads in his approach and how his swing works; how a pitcher repeats his delivery; and how an infielder’s hands and feet work when fielding routine ground balls or making off-balance throws. These “clips” reveal more than raw talent; they show priorities, habits, and patterns. The “clips” never lie.

In a similar way, the “clips” of Jesus’ life that we read about in the Gospels reveal His patterns and priorities: “He got up early. He sought solitude. He prayed. He worshiped His Father.”

It wasn’t an afterthought or a leftover activity squeezed into His schedule. It was foundational. It was a priority. Before teaching, before healing, and before leading—Jesus worshiped.

Mark 1:35 gives us one of the clearest “clips” of Jesus’ priorities. Read it again. Lean into it. Chew on it. But don’t miss it.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.”

If we claim to be disciples of Jesus, our lives ought to mirror the patterns and priorities of His life—not out of duty, but out of devotion. Disciples don’t just admire Jesus; they model what He modeled. The “clips” of our lives never lie—they only reveal.

Listen closely. Here is a question worth examining: If someone studied the “clips” of your life, what would they reveal? Would they show that you prioritize time with God, or that you only turn to Him when the pressure of life is on?

Discipleship means learning to order your life the same way Jesus ordered His—putting worship first, seeking the Father early, and letting everything else flow from that place.

Before the day gets loud. Before you click on your social media. Go to a solitary place and worship God. Spend time magnifying Him. He can’t wait to spend time with you. That’s where strength is formed, direction is given, priorities are set, and hope is established for your life.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

 

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.