Malice in the Palice Part II

Here is a response to violence in sports and in life.  Now it doesn't provide all the answers to the tough questions, but I hope it is a start on the right path.  Forgiveness is a tough road to hoe, but it is so worth it

Most if not all world religions have some concept of forgiveness and ideas of restitution.  In Christianity, it is the central theme of our relationship with God and others.  We are called to seek forgiveness and to be forgiven and to seek restitution when possible.  Forgiveness isn’t an option, because God calls His followers to forgive others just as they were forgiven.  Forgiveness is a one way street, we are called to forgive and to seek forgiveness even if the other party isn’t willing.  In essence, forgiveness is a one way street.  When we do this, we do not earn a merit badge, but we do it because of our relationship with God and we are His children.  Reconciliation is a two way street where it takes both parties to work on issues that are present.  Now, reconciliation may not be possible on this side of heaven, because there needs to be a place for proper and healthy boundaries.  Reconciliation in a broken world is hard work, but it is worth it.  In a healthy and growing relationship, there needs to be forgiveness and reconciliation at work. 

             

So what makes forgiveness possible?  It has to be more than just saying I am sorry and trying to change.  If we can just get away with saying I’m sorry and saying a little prayer, we are not only cheapening the process, but Christ work on the cross is totally pointless.  The book of Hebrews is littered throughout of illustrations that Christ death and resurrection not only covered our sins, but it provides access to God.  One of the main illustrations is that the curtain has been torn and that we can enter into the holy of holies because of Christ work. The only thing we need to do is to accept the free gift that is given to us.  The Oval Office in the White House is one of the most protected rooms in the United States.  The only way the average citizen can gain access is if we receive an invitation from the President.  This is the same with God, they only way we can have access to God is through Christ invitation and sacrifice on the cross.  The only way we can experience true forgiveness and reconciliation with others, is if we accept and receive the pardon of God through Christ.

 Because of Christ sacrifice and that He is a member of the Trinity, God is the ultimate judge.  One of the reasons He is the ultimate judge is because He is the Creator of the universe.  All things begin and end with Him and He is the only one that is righteousness enough to set the standards to live by.  The only way we can keep up and live in those standards is through Christ living in and through us.    

  Getting back to the Minnesota/Ohio State brawl, one of the people involved by the name of Luke Witte (who happened to be suckered punched in the brawl and he ended up with a scratched eye and spent some time in the hospital.) wrote about his experience and how he was not only a changed basketball player after, but a changed person.  That incident changed his outlook on life, and it filled him with hatred to those who were involved and he never viewed the game of basketball same again.  He eventually became a minister and around the year 2000 he was contacted by some of the Minnesota players to seek some sort of relationship and to talk about what happened.  The relationship started with olive branch in the form of an email.  Those feelings of hatred came back to Luke, but through time, Gods grace and mercy, there was not only forgiveness with Luke and the people that were involved, but there was also reconciliation.  They have gotten together over the years and became friends.  They can talk about that night on the basketball court and as horrible event as it was, has brought them together and developed good friendships.  God is a God of reconciliation, He is calling us to be reconciled with Him first and foremost, but a response of that reconciliation, who is he calling us to forgive and even, just maybe be reconciled to here on earth.

Malice at the Palace

I am doing a two part blog on forgiveness, and the reason its two parts is really because its a long and it might be more tolerable to read in two sections. 

For those of you who are basketball fans, November 19, 2004 should ring a bell.  That was the night that the game known as Malice at the Palace took place.  A brawl took place between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons, which lead to suspensions, fines, and people acquiring criminal records.  This event has scared basketball along with the teams and players that were involved for years to come.  One interesting fact is that one of the instigators of the brawl, years later changed his name to Meta World Peace.  There happened to be another basketball brawl that took place in 1972 between The Ohio State University and the Golden Gophers of Minnesota at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.  As I read about this incident from one of the players involved, there are several issues and ideas that came to mind. 

             

The first issue is violence in sports and how it is either celebrated or demonized.  This debate is more applicable to more than just hockey.   How far does one take fighting, and whose job is in to enforce the rules, especially the unwritten ones.  Other sports are also have violence issues.  Football is based on running people over and making tackles.  Some would argue that the violence of the sport is leading to serious health issues later in life. We can proclaim that we do not condone it but showing highlight after highlight of the latest fight or hard hit may say otherwise.  After the Malice at the Palace, ESPN and every other sports outlet showed highlights and discuss ramifications of the event.  So where is the line in the sand of supporting and condoning violence?

           

 Another issue that comes up with such brawls is the issue of punishment.  Where do we draw the line and how does one go about giving out punishment.  I think that punishment is a wrong way to go about things because its aim is often is to make an example of someone or a group of people.  I think that we can learn from other peoples wrongs, but making an example out of them is not the best way to go about things.  I do think that people should face some sort of “punishment,” but it’s the end goal that’s should be kept in mind.  Does punishment just lead to condemnation and shame, or does it allow for growth maturity and reconciliation.  If punishment does not lead and allow for reconciliation, its not worth doing, because when we often shame people and make examples out of them, it often leads down a dark road where healing and forgiveness can not be fully given or received.  It is more because I have to and not because I want to.  

 Now that we set up some of the problems, whats the solution and how to live it out.  That is the net blog post

Spring time

As I am writing this, today is the first day of spring and I am willing to say that I am tired of snow and I am ready for warmer weather.  I like snow as much as the net person, but after awhile, I get tired of the cold, shoveling and the hauling of wood to heat the house.  Snow does have a spiritual connection.  Just as snow covers the brown grass and makes everything white and new, so does the blood of Christ and His work on the cross.  The blood of Christ not only takes away our sins, but through Christ blood, it makes everything new and spotless.  The Christian life is not just about getting saved, which is important, but it is also growing in grace and becoming mature in Christ.  Just as we want our children to become mature adults, we should work on being mature Christians

             Springtime means green grass, warmer weather and longer days.  We also need a spring time in our spiritual lives as well.  The season of lent can be represent the winter time of putting old habits or bad habits to death.  I hope all of us took time during the Lenten season to draw closer to God and to put the things away that is hindering our relationship with Him.  But here is the brutal truth, if we don’t replace the old habits, with new growth that is holy, we will find something just as destructive to replace the things that we dealt with during lent.  We should take time to celebrate the work that has gone on in our lives over the last forty days, but how we need to continue to grow and mature.  

            So what are the areas that are the spring time in your life?  In springtime, there are green buds on the trees, and in order for those green buds to turn into leaves, they need to grow and to mature.  In essence, it takes work, and even some trial and error.  It is willing to trust God and work on the things that He is calling us to.  The Christian life is more than just not doing certain things, but it is also doing things.  Whether it is prayer, fasting, working on relationships, or just serving others, God’s grace in our lives demands a response.  Our salvation is not dependant on what we can to, but we should do things out of love and adoration for the Creator and what He has done for us.  I hope we can live out Micah 6:8, which is that we love justice, do mercy and walk humbly with our God.