Lance and the Clean Slate

Romans 15:7  NLT

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

In the last couple of weeks there has been much in the news about Lance Armstrong and his getting honest about using substances to enhance his performance in cycling.  This is the same guy who for years has denied this for years.  Armstrong is also known for founding LIVESTRONG after his battle with cancer.  He and the organization have helped many people who have also battled cancer and raised awareness and support.

I believe that God has called me and our church to offer God’s grace and love as well as second chances to the people we meet.  I believe that sin needs to be dealt with, and the Bible is clear that our choices bring consequences.  Lance messed up, and there will be consequences for him.  Yet Lance is human and deserves God’s grace.

I read an article last week that I want to share with you today.  It is a powerful word about knowing God’s grace.  Read on and may God teach us to accept others especially as they get honest about their struggles.

LANCE AND THE CLEAN SLATE by Mohan Karulkar:

Many of us knew it was coming, and sure enough, Lance Armstrong admitted it all last night.  In an interview with Oprah, he came clean about doping, basically copping to everything he’s vehemently denied for over a decade.  Details of the interview leaked shortly after it taped on Monday, so the confession was no surprise.  In fact, it gave me several days to think about it.

And who am I kidding? I’m pissed. A lot of people are.  We bought his story, and we stood up for him when the going got tough.  He coexisted with giants of strength and endurance — people like Jordan, Ripken, Favre, and Woods.

He beat cancer, and he won it all.  Like 7 times.

We have a right to be mad.  Heck, take the next few minutes and be mad.  But when you’re done, come back, because there’s something else to think about.

—

If there’s anything positive to say, here’s the best I’ve got.

The charges didn’t come out of nowhere, but have been dogging Lance for years.  Many stood beside him, and many chose to dismiss him, but no one really knew.  And that’s usually where it stays.

These kinds of stories don’t usually have any closure. 

The world will never really know about Michael Jackson, or OJ Simpson, or Joe Paterno.  The people who know ain’t talking, and the people who cared are starting to forget.

But with Lance, we know.  And like Tiger Woods before him, he now has nowhere to hide.  But what he does have is a story with no question marks.  And in a world of second chances, that’s actually worth something.

Lance Armstrong now has a clean slate, whether you want him to or not.  He’s got baggage, and no shortage of haters, but the question marks are gone.  And in the end, those question marks are what hold your story back the most.

Lance Armstrong … welcome to People of the Second Chance.

(This article written by Mohan Karulkar was first posted at the People of the Second Chance blog at this link http://www.potsc.com/potsc/lance-and-the-clean-slate.  I am grateful that Mohan and POTSC allowed me to share this article with you.)