Michael Vick is back in the NFL after a two year ban, while fulfilling his prison sentence and house arrest following his release from prison. That he should want to return to the NFL is his right and the rest of us with rocks in our hands need to go look in the mirror at ourselves before condemning him any further. I'm still searching for the other perfect person to walk on this earth since Jesus and have come up empty thus far.
This has the potential to be a truly inspiring and epic story. Before his troubles, the story of Michael Vick could have been titled, "It's All About Me". He didn't care about rules, he didn't care about what the average fan thought about him, because he was more important than either rules or them. And then he was humbled. His money could not prevent the power of our laws from reaching him and bringing him down, and what a fall it was. He was completely exposed for what he was in secret. He was completely humiliated. His story did truly become "it's all about me", though he would rather have kept those specific details in the dark, because they were terrible.
Now here he is again and I am moved by what I have seen so far. He is humble and he is broken, and these two traits are indicative that he has undergone some serious soul searching and he didn't like what he found. Because of that, he wants to become a different person than the one he was two years ago. He understands that one more hiccup and his ban from football will be for life. He wants to change and I for one think most Americans should applaud him for that attitude and should encourage him to stay true to the path he is on.
I don't know if this is a spiritual story, but it has all of the elements that usually cause one to seek the Father. A terrible fall and no friends around. A deep understanding of powerlessness over your situation and understanding that you cannot change it. Then a turning and asking for help, admitting that you are unable to change, but "you Father can change me". Here lies the lesson I hope Mr. Vick has learned from this ordeal, and the rest of us would do well to embrace or at least remember ourselves. No life is so messy that the Father cannot redeem. He takes the broken pieces and from them builds a new and beautiful life. Grow Mr. Vick, you have inspired me in your brokenness and I for one thank you and embrace you. I hope the best for you as you move forward.
Ken_Garrett_LifeMoments - Searching for moments of grace that reveal God's activity around me.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Is It Really Amazing Grace?
Lately, I've been struck by the transformation that John Newton underwent when he encountered God in a raging storm while at sea. His encounter was so deep that he wrote the song Amazing Grace as a result. The words of this song continue to inspire hearts 200+ years later. When Mr. Newton's story ceased to be about himself, God was able to touch the world through him! Whoa, that is heavy stuff.
Mr. Newton described himself as a wretch and he was absolutely amazed that grace could even save him. Yet the God whom he praises in his wonderful song is able to do just that, because it is not about John Newton. It is about the Father who is described with words such as love, compassionate, merciful.
Why does John Newton experience the same grace I have experienced and he is transformed by it, and I seem not to be? It seems to me, that grace should cause a person to realize that they need a power much greater than themselves to reach down and save them. When they get to that moment what else can one do but bow down and confess, "I am not worthy, but you, oh God, love me anyway".
I don't believe I have been transformed in the same way John Newton has been. I also do not believe his transformation was an instantaneous event in his life. Grace, however, was something he was able to wrap his arms around as he grew in his relationship with his Father and he had to capture that with words. That is what I want. I don't want to be one who takes grace for granted. I want it to transform me so that my Father is able to use me to bless others as He works to draw them to Himself. Teach me oh Lord the depth of your grace in my life. Use it to transform me into the image of Jesus and help me to surrender my will to yours like Jesus did on his last night on earth. Father, I want my life to sing how amazing you are to the world!
Mr. Newton described himself as a wretch and he was absolutely amazed that grace could even save him. Yet the God whom he praises in his wonderful song is able to do just that, because it is not about John Newton. It is about the Father who is described with words such as love, compassionate, merciful.
Why does John Newton experience the same grace I have experienced and he is transformed by it, and I seem not to be? It seems to me, that grace should cause a person to realize that they need a power much greater than themselves to reach down and save them. When they get to that moment what else can one do but bow down and confess, "I am not worthy, but you, oh God, love me anyway".
I don't believe I have been transformed in the same way John Newton has been. I also do not believe his transformation was an instantaneous event in his life. Grace, however, was something he was able to wrap his arms around as he grew in his relationship with his Father and he had to capture that with words. That is what I want. I don't want to be one who takes grace for granted. I want it to transform me so that my Father is able to use me to bless others as He works to draw them to Himself. Teach me oh Lord the depth of your grace in my life. Use it to transform me into the image of Jesus and help me to surrender my will to yours like Jesus did on his last night on earth. Father, I want my life to sing how amazing you are to the world!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)