While making plays on the field, Grayson Garvin has not always stood his ground.
“On numerous occasions I have fallen down [or] tripped over my shoelaces,” said Garvin, a left-handed pitcher who is on the 40-man Tampa Bay Rays roster and who played the 2014 season for the Montgomery Biscuits.
Garvin does, however, make a stand for his faith.
“The reason that I play is to glorify Him with everything I have. I feel like my sole purpose is to glorify the Lord in whatever capacity that He has for me, whether that is on the baseball field or off.”
Garvin was in sixth grade when he accepted Christ during a crusade at Hebron Baptist Church, Norcross, Ga. He was baptized two nights later.
“I was fortunate enough to grow up in a Christian home. My parents (Greg and Angela Garvin) really modeled for me what it was like to be … a follower of Christ,” said Garvin, 25.
“I think it was the realization that you are not perfect, not that I thought I was perfect, but without the Lord I can’t have eternal life.”
When Garvin was in 11th grade he realized his relationship with Christ “wasn’t a one-way street. I needed to do more.”
In college, “the Lord increased my boldness to be able to share my testimony and faith with others,” he said.
Pitcher of the Year
After playing baseball at Vanderbilt University in Nashville where he was 2011 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Pitcher of the Year and led the regular-season SEC champion Commodores to the College World Series, Garvin was drafted in the first round (59th overall) by the Rays.
“That was a big thrill being able to be drafted in that position,” Garvin said.
While 2011 was a “big, fun year” 2012 was not. While playing for the Charlotte Stone Crabs, Garvin suffered an elbow injury that would require Tommy John surgery, a procedure that replaces a torn ligament with a tendon from the patient’s forearm or thigh.
“I’ve had to rely and lean on Him a lot (during this process). I think those type of situations have enhanced His story on me and … I’ve been able to share the goodness that He has for everyone through the story that He is continuing to play out in my life.”
Each morning Garvin prays Matthew 5:16, his favorite verse, which says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” This also is the verse he writes on his glove.
Montgomery catcher Jake DePew, who roomed with Garvin for two years, said that the way Garvin goes about his daily business shows that “he is a man of God.”
Patience and humility have been “big things” Garvin said he has learned through the recovery process.
“The Lord doesn’t always promise that things are going to be easy and I have continually been able to learn that through some of the struggles.
“I have felt an unbelievable peace through a lot of things that I have been through. A lot of people think that once we become believers that it is all going to be easy. That is not necessarily the case,” he said.
Spiritual growth comes through Bible study, devotions, prayer, accountability partners and worship, he said. His home churches are North Point Community Church, Alpharetta, Ga., and Cross Point Community Church, Franklin, Tenn. Garvin lives in Nashville during the off-season.
Staying in shape spiritually is vital, he said. “There is no such thing as staying stagnant. Either you are growing or you are not. I really try to stay on top of my personal quiet times.”
Since age 4, Garvin’s dream has been to be a big-league pitcher.
“More than my goal to pitch in the big leagues is my goal to glorify the Lord. If He does have a different path for me, I am obviously open to that. The gifts the Lord has given me, I want to make the most of what I can.”
Fulfillment comes through purpose. Having purpose has made a “night and day difference,” he said.
“Feeling fulfilled is probably an understatement. It (faith) really gives a purpose to what I do. I feel like it would be tough not being a believer because I feel like you don’t necessarily know what to live for. I feel like I am living for Christ. I try to sow seeds and be a small part of His greater plan.”
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