Since my parents were involved in ministry, I spent a lot of time at church. At the age of 12, it became the place where I gave my life to Christ. My family had done their part to teach me and give me biblical guidance, but, around that time, they encouraged me to learn more for myself. That included venturing out in my faith and reading the Bible on my own. Through doing this, I developed a personal relationship with God, which opened up a whole new world to me.

I learned so much by growing up in the church. And, while I appreciated it as a kid, I appreciate it even more now that I’m on my own. The things I learned back then have become the foundation for my life and have helped me to discern the difference between right and wrong.

As a kid, I was also encouraged to play plenty of sports. I played baseball and football and ran track, but I took a particular liking to baseball. After a successful senior year in high school, I was drafted 11th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2005. In 2009, the Pirates made a key trade that resulted in my being called up, and, on June 4, I made my big-league debut. It was a night—and the culmination of a dream—that I will never forget.

Now that I’m in my second season with the Pirates, I’m starting to get more familiar with the ins and outs of the big leagues. I recognize that it is a blessing to be able to excel at the highest level of competition, and, when I look back on the path I took to the majors, I see God’s hand in it all.

Being in this position, I also recognize the blessing of being able to be an example to athletes of all ages. It’s no secret that we all face temptations and that our faith is always being challenged. Some of the challenges I face in the majors are the same that I faced in the minors, but I choose to view them all as opportunities to spread the name of the Lord.

One lesson I’ve learned through the game of baseball has been about controlling my emotions. When I’m going through a tough stretch at the plate or in the field, or when I feel like an umpire made a bad call, I have to hold my tongue and focus on the next pitch or play. People are watching what I say and do because I have identified myself as a believer. They see when I get fired up and react in a certain way. I do fail, but I try my best to be mindful that others are watching. And the one place I know I can always turn in tough situations is to God’s Word. Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for our good. When things aren’t going as planned or hoped, that verse and so many others bring me comfort and peace.

If I could offer any advice to other Christian athletes, it would be to surround yourself with fellow believers who will hold you accountable. Our third-base coach, Tony Beasley, is a strong Christian, and I benefit from being around him on a daily basis. We have a good relationship, and we help each other stay positive. We also hold each other accountable to being a light for Christ in our clubhouse.

The truth is that, without Jesus and the teachings of the Bible, this world will crumble. For me, without His power through my parents and the church, my life could have crumbled. But, by God’s grace, I’m now standing strong in His power, supported by trusted friends, family and coaches. And hopefully, with His blessing, I will leave a legacy as more than just a professional baseball player. I’ll leave a legacy as a man of God.

What about you? Do you, like Andrew McCutchen, want your life to be about more than sports? Through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can find true fulfillment as well. We were created to bring glory to the Lord, and, until we begin living for Him, we will never be satisfied. Today, you can turn your life over to the One who died for you and who loves you with unconditional, everlasting love. Call on Jesus in prayer and ask Him to come into your heart and become the Lord of your life. Receive His forgiveness for your sins and start a relationship with Him. If you have questions about what that means, contact a trusted Christian friend, pastor or FCA staff member. You can also learn more online at morethanwinning.org.

--For more stories about faith and sport, visit www.sharingthevictory.com, the official magazine of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. To subscribe to STV, click here.

Photos courtesy of Dave Arrigo/Pittsburgh Pirates