Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God… 1 Peter 8-11
Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 30-32; 1 Peter 4
I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about basketball and we started talking about Lebron James.
For those of you who don’t know he’s an amazing player, arguably the best player in the game right now. He came into the league straight out of high school and he has been a force to recon with from Day 1. Up until last year he was the darling of the media. Everyone loved him, the way he dealt with the writers and fans, his commercials, how he conducted himself on the court, and that he was the ultimate team player.
That was until of course his famous “Decision” to take his talents to South Beach
When we were talking about him I couldn’t help but to feel sorry for him. Not so much for how he handled that situation but because of the burden of the spotlight. He’s been under a media microscope since he was sixteen!
Crazy.
When you are under that kind of intense focus from others it’s almost like folks are waiting for you to fall. And when you eventually do, they are right there to say “I told you so” or some other variety of hating type of behavior. But how can someone be equal to that standard all the time. It’s impossible to be perfect all the time right?
When I see passages like “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God” I can see how many Christian folk have the same feeling that I imagine Lebron must have. By definition Christians are supposed to be “Christ-like”. But what happens when we fall short? We see it in the media all the time. Folks slip (sometimes in insufferably major ways) and everything comes crashing down upon them.
How are you supposed to walk forward in your purpose when the standard is so high?
Well something that I’m learning is the power of grace. The notion that we can be forgiven, no matter what, based upon faith allows me to have the courage to get out into the world and do my best knowing that when I fall God is there to give me a hand and help me back up.
Lebron’s “Decision” shows us that people may not be so forgiving, but it’s good to know that other folks don’t determine our spiritual well being. We have God for that.
And God is pretty cool when it comes to second chances.
Now that is strange, I was telling someone the other day that the first line of that peter verse was like the cliff notes for just about everything in the bible....... Bob d from west hills, yeah its me clarence
ReplyDeleteAim to be the best you everyday. Regardless of circumstance. LeBron did that in the best way for him. Many do this in the best way for them.
ReplyDeleteFalls happen. It's how we choose to walk through, rebuild, and move beyond that fall that matters. With faith and belief in God's plan or not.
Like smiles, believing can be contagious. Be patient and allow time to do the rest. If at the start you feel alone, God will surely present you with one more believer. And then another. And another.
You have to believe the "assist" will happen. Then believe and accept that "assist" when it finally does happen.
Believe. Always believe.
Great read C...as always. Forgiveness is a fickle beast. We can't seem to see past our own selfishness and/or pride to give people a second chance. All we can do is spread the word and make sure we lead by example. A lot of cliche phrases in my response, geez. Keep up the good work and I'll be here showing my support when I'm not reading/looking at non important material on the interwebs. Peace.
ReplyDelete@Bob what up sir!! I see you getting all up in them scriptures. Well played sir!
ReplyDelete@Alegria "Like smiles, believing can be contagious" That was some heat... so true.
@C.Town yessir. Don't sweat the cliches homie. They are cliche for a reason... truth has a way of sticking around.
C-Weird how a response can take your original thought even farther. "So true." Sooo veeery truuue. Thanks fot the good food. ;-)
ReplyDelete