This week, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America named Cleveland Indians star pitcher, Shane Bieber, the winner of the AL Cy Young Award.
The right-hander had a successful season throwing his effective curveball and slider which helped him finish with an 8-1 record, a 1.63 ERA, and 122 strikeouts.
Although a shortened season, he was able to lead the majors in ERA and strikeouts and tied with Yu Darvish for the most wins. Bieber's 14.2 strikeouts per nine innings is the highest single-season total in MLB history.
What made this AL Cy Young Award win so impressive and meaningful was that he won with a unanimous vote from the writers. This was the first time this happened in the American League since 2011 and only the 10th time that an AL pitcher was chosen first on every ballot.
How remarkable that every baseball writer who had a vote to cast, picked Shane Bieber. The same sportswriters who seem to love to argue about everything and tend to always find something to disagree on found unity on this one topic – Shane Bieber was the best pitcher in the American League this season.
The word unanimous means, “Of two or more people fully in agreement, an opinion or vote held or carried by everyone involved…united, undivided, as one, in accord, of one mind, of the same mind, in harmony.”
It’s hard to find the meaning of unanimous played out in today’s world, as daily conversations and the nightly news reveal anything other than agreement and unity. Because we live in such a divided world, this unanimous vote seems to stand out even more.
Unfortunately, even among the Church, it’s sometimes difficult to find people who are fully united and living in harmony. But as followers of Jesus, we should be in unanimous agreement that He's the way, the truth, and the life, and worthy of our praise.
Because of Jesus, we are connected to Him and each other. If we lose sight that it’s about Him and love, we can begin to divide and lack unity.
This was Jesus’ prayer before He went to heaven: “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in Me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent Me.
“I have given them the glory you gave Me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent Me and that you love them as much as you love Me” (John 17:20-23; NLT).
Paul writes in Philippians 2:1-2 (NLT), “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”
When our purpose is to bring glory to God and honor Him with our lives, we will seek to love one another and work together to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.
With the mindset of humility and sacrifice, we can unanimously agree we’re more effective when we’re united instead of divided.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray for a heart of unity and a true desire to live in harmony with my family, community, and church. Help me to be someone who represents humility and seeks to work with other followers of Jesus to bring the Gospel to the world. Forgive me for times I’ve caused division, and please give me the strength to be united in the areas You call me to be. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What is your experience with unity among believers?
What have you learned from the times you’ve witnessed division?
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