Skip to main content

Lance and the Clean Slate




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.)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

wash feet, sharing hope

  John 13:4-5,14 NLT  So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow.  He served.  He valued and gave value to others.  That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet.  It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives.  Jesus said we should do this.  See the verse above.  Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.  One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns.  When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.  Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns.  Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.  Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"  Beverly said, "Why yes I do."  Edith said, "Well, what do you ...