Life is Short, Know God
CBN.com - With so many questions swirling without answers, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Dernell Stenson will be laid to rest today in his hometown of Lagrange, Georgia. It will be a sad ending to what was shaping up to be a promising baseball career.
The 25 year old, who had been playing in the Arizona Fall League, was found dead early Wednesday in a Phoenix suburb, the victim of an apparent murder. He had been shot execution style and dragged beneath his own sport utility vehicle. Authorities have arrested a 19 year old Illinois man who has admitted a role in the killing but has not been charged with the murder.
In 2003 Stenson had been emerging from a stalled career that had seemingly slipped between the cracks of a sometimes unforgiving sport. He had made his Major League debut this year playing in 37 games for the Reds during the latter half of the season. The burly 6-1, 230 pound slugger hit .247 with 3 home runs and 13 runs at the big league level and was honing his craft further during these fall months in Arizona.
Drafted by Boston in the third round of the 1996 draft, Stenson was always a player long on promise but short on production in his six seasons in the Red Sox organization. Thought to be the eventual replacement for former first baseman Mo Vaughn, Stenson could never seem to quite live up to the expectations that had been placed on him. He would often provide glimpses of his tremendous offensive potential but could never seem to produce on a consistent basis. Subsequently, the Red Sox gave up on him in spring training this year and placed him on waivers. The Reds scooped him up and the Georgia native responded by hitting .306 at Double A Chattanooga in 101 games before his August call-up. It appeared his career was back on track.
After so many disappointing seasons Stenson was finally in the Major League mix. While there were no guarantees, he was being given a chance to prove himself on the big league level. Tragically, he will be but a brief footnote in the annals of Major League history, the victim of a senseless crime.
I knew Dernell Stenson. Prior to coming to CBN, I worked as a reporter for a nationally syndicated baseball show based in the northeast. I often traveled to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where the minor league portion of our show originated. It was there that I got my first glimpse of who was thought to be Bostons next great slugger. Dernell was a quiet, soft spoken, gentle giant type who was playing his first season with the Red Sox top minor league affiliate. During the many times we interviewed him, I would often have to ask him to speak up because he spoke so softly. He would always clear his throat and then take it up by only half a decibel. Whether he was bashful or was just plain uncomfortable with speaking to the media, he was always polite and respectful. I genuinely liked him. He often reminded me of the thoughtful, quiet kid who always sat in the back of the class.
I was absolutely shocked when I learned Dernell had been murdered. Initially shocked, my feelings soon turned to anger as I questioned how someone could commit such a heinous crime. Eventually, I arrived at a question that so many of us (Christians included) do when a senseless tragedy takes place. That is, "How could God allow such a thing as this to happen?"
This is a very difficult yet penetrating theological question that most, if not all of us, has grappled with at one time or another in our lives. It is in these times of duress that I always turn to
which states:"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
God works in all things for our good. This does not mean all that happens to us or our loved ones is considered good in an earthly sense. Evil is lurking all around us each and every day in our fallen world. Fortunately, God is able to turn every circumstance, whether good or bad, into our long range good. It is important to remember that God is not working to make us happy but to fulfill His purpose.
In every season it is critical for us to trust in God. We are to look for our security and assurances in heaven not in the things of this earth. In doing so, we must learn to accept, not resent pain and persecution, for God is with us.
As of this writing it is not known why Dernell Stenson was murdered. Meanwhile, a family mourns, a promising career has been snuffed out, and questions flow forth without answers. Yet through it all we know that God works everything together for ultimate good according to His purpose. You can count on it.
Portions from Life Application Study Bible (Tyndale) used in this article.
Sources: Associated Press
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