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FIRST PERSON: The glory that is due by Gordon Cloud Date: Sep 30, 2008 |
CAIRO, Ga. (BP)--It was exciting for me to watch the U.S. men’s basketball team perform at the Beijing Olympics. The appropriately dubbed “Redeem Team” played brilliantly, demonstrating a work ethic and spirit of teamwork that has been missing from our entries of recent international tournaments. While the players performed admirably, meeting the expectations one would reasonably have of such a collection of superstars, much of the credit for the team’s success was given to national director of USA Basketball, Jerry Colangelo, and head coach, Mike Krzyzewski. Colangelo brought to the program a well-orchestrated plan to restore the past glory by providing an atmosphere of continuity and national pride. Krzyzewski is widely known as one of the premier college coaches, yet questions remained about his ability to lead a machine comprised of such talents as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade to victory on the international stage. Nothing succeeds like success. Not only did “Coach K” silence his critics by leading the team to the gold, he did so by forging an attitude of unity and classy behavior among the players that was surprisingly refreshing. Out were the self-promoting antics and thuggish behavior that often characterizes the NBA culture, and in was desire to make America proud. It could be argued that the coaches are deserving of a medal, but only the players are awarded them. For me, a long-time fan of Krzyzewski, it was a heart-warming moment to see the players place their gold medals around his neck in a gesture of appreciation and willingness to share the glory with their leader. Then he had to return the medals to the players. The players were willing to share the glory, but they still had a desire to retain most of it for themselves. This is understandable, as they had taken time away from their families, practiced and played hard and deserved the opportunity to display the tokens of victory on their own terms. As I considered this, I was reminded of the scene in Revelation where the four and 20 elders cast their crowns at the feet of Jesus, saying, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power.” In that moment of highest worship, all who witness it will have been transformed to the nature of Christ. There will be no carnal desires of self-promotion or ambition, only an uninhibited compulsion to give all glory to the One who is worthy. The crowns that are cast before Him will be His for eternity, not just for a brief photo op. I will never be able to stand on the world’s largest stage and share an Olympic gold moment with a coach or teammate, but I eagerly look forward to the day when I will witness this heavenly scene. I cannot help but hope that I too will have a crown to lay at His feet. It will be His to keep. --30-- Gordon Cloud is pastor of Pine Park Baptist Church in Cairo, Ga.
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FIRST PERSON: Extreme Christianity -8/27/2009 FIRST PERSON: A fly in the ointment -3/28/2009 FIRST PERSON: Steroids a modern-day tree of knowledge -2/24/2009 FIRST PERSON: The glory that is due -9/30/2008 FIRST PERSON: Act like you've been there before -8/29/2008 | |
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