In September 2020, Alex Kirilloff made his Major League debut with the Minnesota Twins, every kid’s dream. He’d been drafted in the first round of the 2016 draft, but things hadn’t gone as planned. In 2017, he had a season-ending injury that ended in Tommy John surgery.
Less than a year after his debut, he suffered another season-ending injury. These challenges were frustrating, but the true challenge he faced throughout his career was the struggle of identity.
He found it difficult to separate his results on the field, good or bad. After the Tommy John surgery, he didn’t play for about twenty months. His confidence fell, and his frustration increased.
He began to rely on Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Alex accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at a young age, having been raised in a Christian household.
Alex’s life changed after committing his life to Christ. He felt he was no longer chasing an unfulfilling desire to live for himself or live by the world’s standards. Alex understands that he is a sinner, saved by grace, and that there is no better gift he could ever receive. With that knowledge, he can live freely and share the good news of the Gospel, as well as the gift of eternal life through God’s grace, forgiveness, and sacrifice on the cross.
One of the lessons Alex learned in sports is how to be a good teammate and a servant leader. Being a teammate requires being there for one another and also displaying a level of selflessness that prioritizes the well-being of the team as a whole over that of any individual. These principles are also found in the Gospel, as seen in Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve and to give us life as a ransom for many.”
Alex’s life in sports has allowed him to share his faith with teammates during the long hours of training, practice, and playing. He feels he was given a platform to share his faith through signing baseball cards, posting on social media, interacting with people, and giving interviews.
After retiring from baseball, Alex wants to continue making a positive impact in his community through his passion for sports.
He is currently working full-time in the real estate industry. He lives and works by Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Once Alex relinquished control and trusted the Lord’s plan for everything, including the injuries and his future, he has been able to flourish in life as a husband, father, and in his work.
Resting our identity in our Savior’s unconditional love and grace is a more steadfast foundation on which to base our identity.
Are you ready to rest your identity on Jesus? By repenting of your sins and placing your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, your life can be transformed. You can pray a prayer to receive salvation from Christ.
Pray: “Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose again. I ask you to forgive my sins and come into my heart. I choose to follow you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.”
Please let us know if you prayed this prayer!