“I don’t want this to be about me. This is about God. This is about you.”
John Means, a volunteer coach for Union University’s softball team, says his goal is to be a good, Christ-like example to those around him. One of the many ways he does this is by spending his time with college students and blessing them with encouraging words and advice.
Means’ life changed after being one of the first people to contract the corona virus, back before it was diagnosable and given a name. Thinking he was going to die from an unknown disease, he retired, which started a chain reaction that led him to Union University. Eventually, this led to him sitting across from me in Modero, sporting a red shirt and Union hat with his sunglasses resting upside down atop it.
Around the time he retired, he fell in love with a lady who has grandkids in Jackson, leading him to leave his home of 40 years in Huntsville, Ala. Upon leaving his home, he also had to leave his place at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) where he had helped the baseball team and developed strong relationships with coaches and players alike. Thus, even before his time at Union, his work and service were all about helping and encouraging people while building relationships.
“People are what life is about,” Means said. “If I wasn’t doing this, I wouldn’t be able to meet you, or Grace, or other people. Life is complex, but I think the scripture is pretty basic in that Jesus loved God and loved people. That’s why I’m here. That’s what I’m trying to do, whatever it takes to encourage young people.”
Means is thankful for the opportunities he has had to serve people—especially athletes—through the years. We can trace the formation of his giving heart and love of baseball back to a time when he had much less than he does now and needed a way to overcome life’s challenges.
“I grew up in an alcoholic home,” Means said. “Mom and Dad really struggled. I’ve gone to bed with the lights out and hungry. The Lord blessed me to be a baseball player, so I was able to move forward in life by playing baseball and learning.”
Playing baseball was his ticket to having more, but not so that he would have more for himself. Instead, Means enjoys being able to give to others and making their days a little bit better. This is, of course, not all monetary or physical aid. His helping hands are mainly oriented towards encouragement, towards bringing others closer to God. He makes a conscious decision every day to live in a way that brings those around him closer to the Lord, not farther away.
“We are either making each other closer to God or, usually, making each other farther away,” Means said. “Nobody gets out of bed and says, ‘I can’t wait to make someone’s life miserable,’ but they don’t think about getting up to encourage. The basis of biblical study is to have faith and to love people.”
So, how did this lead to him being a volunteer coach for softball? Afterall, his previous experience is in baseball, and he had no previous connection with Union. Well, going along with what seems to be a trend in his life, Means saw a need, and he felt led to fill it. After helping with Union’s baseball team for a few years, he transitioned to softball.
“The new baseball coach has got a good bit of help,” Means began. “But softball only had a couple people, so Sydney asked me one day if I would help.”
Others may say this transition was by chance, but Means knows that God’s providence is in everything, even seemingly trivial pursuits. In every circumstance, he sees God’s hand guiding him to meet new people, serve and be a Christ-like example.
“I think I’m meeting you, not by chance, but by inspiration…this is where God wanted me to be,” Means said.
All those who interact with Means seem to feel the same: he is a blessing to anyone and everyone around him. Morgan Jennings, a sophomore nursing major and member of the softball team, commented on the huge blessing it is to have Means supporting them.
“He does everything he can for the team whether that means buying snacks, working on the field, being our cheerleader and even just being a listening ear,” Jennings said. “He is one of the most giving people I have ever met. He is truly a blessing to this team, no doubt. Anyone he runs into has nothing but encouraging and positive words to say.”
Of course, Means will remind us that this is not about him. This is about serving the Lord in our variety of skills, talents and desires. This is about helping others on their journeys through life. Mostly, this is about becoming like Christ, and Means has one final piece of advice to encourage us on this important journey.
“Read the Word and pray,” Means said. “If you do those things, your life will be productive. It doesn’t mean you won’t have struggles, but you’ll come through those because God is in control.”
Photo by Laila Al-Hagal
