Rev. Richard Smith
| John 13:34 Words of Jesus I new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you are to love one another. Ephesians 4:32 Words of Paul Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. |
Most likely you each know about the situation with Jon Gruden, former coach of the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League. The discovery of multiple emails over a period of time classified as clearly sexist, homophobic, and misogynistic caused Gruden to resign; most likely before he would be fired. The emails, evidently, were graphically denigrating and railed against inclusiveness in the ugliest of ways.
My purpose with this particular blog is to share the insights of Derek Carr, the starting quarterback of the Raiders. His perspective on this situation with his coach and dear friend contains lessons for all of us. Here is part of his news conference:
“It was a lot to handle, I’ll say it that way. You all know me, man. I don’t condone that kind of talk. I don’t talk that way. My kids sure as heck will never talk that way and it’s hard because I love the man. Like I have family members that have done things, I’ve done things that I’m glad that I’m still loved. I think more than anything coach needs people to help him, to love him in whatever areas that we can,
.But at the same time, what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong… Don’t get me wrong, I love the man, and you hate the sin. Like for anybody, no one is perfect… But you hate the action, you hate it. You’re not supposed to like it, but you love the person,
But long story short, you hate, you feel for everybody involved, but I will always be someone no matter who does what I’m going to love you. And if that’s wrong, then I’m okay being wrong. I’m going to try and build people up no matter what. That doesn’t make what they did right, but I’m always going to be there to try and be there on the next step, on the other side, to try and lift them back up and love them up a.gain.
So, note here the insights Carr offers which so strongly resonate with the heart of the Christian faith when it comes to us sinners and our faults, failures; and our constant need for caring encouragers:
There Clearly Are Things Which Are Unacceptable
“I don’t condone that kind of talk.”
“What’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong.”
“You hate the act, you hate it.”
But, We Recognize We All Fail
“I have family members that have done things, I’ve done things that I’m glad that I’m still loved.”
“Nobody is perfect.”
We All Need Encouragers
“I’m always going to be there on the next step, on the other side, to try and lift them back up and love them again.”
“I think more than anything Coach needs people to help him, to love him in whatever areas we can.”
This is heady stuff! But Carr’s overall thinking and disposition reflect the core of our Jesus-centered faith! In humility, recognizing our own shortcomings, we can seek to be loving encouragers for those who accept their failures and want to walk a different path.
