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All Too Human
By Ron | January 12, 2010
The scandals seem to never end. Our appetite for sensational gossip news is as embarrassing as the acts themselves. I can remember watch Spartacus as a child and thought to myself the people in the coliseum were as murderous as the gladiator who plunged weapons into the body of the defeated. The new title just released about some behind the scenes moments during presidential race shows some bold statements and actions that work, well, work exceedingly well to sell books.
One may receive fifteen minutes of fame but scandal gets you sixty minutes. The only people to pray for really bad news are those caught in the news cycle needing a worse story to upstage their own. Every profession from sports to clergy suffers from scandalous actions. Entertainers who fall prey to such issues never surprise me but others often catch me off guard. I still remember back in the early nineties the breaking news about basketball legend Magic Johnson being HIV positive from numerous encounters while on the road and everyone was shocked. That same decade proved that our president had a weakness in that same area. Recently, Tiger Woods, David Letterman, Governor Sanford, Jon & Kate have all been in the media.
One must ask, “Why is this news?” Simple–they have or had influence on a group of people. That makes them or made them a leader. Others wanted to hear what they had to say, do what they did, play to their level, and follow their advice. We as men are the greatest at compartmentalizing and we think that one area of our lives has little or no affect on another. Sadly I am sure Tiger would ask, “Why am I loosing sponsors? I am still a great golfer.” He quickly forgets what one phrase spoken in jest did to Fuzzy Zeller when Tiger won his first masters. Words do tarnish us, actions create damage, and our ability to be the right influence leaves people with a black hole. The wake of a boat creates larger hurdles than those crossed by the boat itself. When in the throes of such issues, most go through the typical self-justification by down playing the actions, excusing it away in light of past afflictions, and blaming others.
None of the people in a scandal want the camera during these “newsworthy” moments any more than a criminal wants the camera capturing the arrest. Before you think this blog is a pile on like so many others, I have to ask myself. What if I had paparazzi following me, capturing my every move on camera with lens that can see in through cracks in window shades? What if listening devices were always pointed at me? While I would like to think I would not embarrass myself, my organization, my family, or my Lord, I am reminded that I too am all too human.
I do not want to be a spectator with thumbs pointing down to kill the fallen ones. I am reminded of the choices we make has greater ripple effects than just on ourselves. Scripture and the Holy Spirit should scream louder in our ears than the spectators looking for blood.
Topics: Christian Education, Leadership, Miscellaneous | 2 Comments »
January 12th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Great Blog, I totally agree with this. So often we are quick to judge and think we are so much better. We should remember we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
January 13th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Great Blog.
You’re right. I just looked around and thankfully the paparazzi isn’t following me today, or any day for that matter capturing my every move on camera or listening devices. While I know I should be relieved, I’m not.
There is One who follows closer than the paparazzi; who knows even the thoughts/intents of my hearts. No wonder I get chills reading Matt. 10:28, …do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. The paparazzi can only maximize my personal destruction as I bring it on myself. In time it may pass; they may even downplay it or forget about it. However, there is NO getting round He who sees and knows it all.