Two incidents in the space of a week has me thinking again about how we should remember people.
Former radio and television personality and charity worker Jimmy Saville, who died a year ago, has not been accused of a number of incidents of sexually inappropriate behaviour. The charges and allegations have caused quite a stir at the BBC and brought out some other accusations of inappropriate behaviour that was tolerated in media circles.
Then, of course, there is the issue of Lance Armstrong which again has caused headlines after the Usada sent over evidence suggesting that the man who won 7 Tour de France competitions was responsible for being part of one of the most sophisticated doping schemes ever seen in sport. This is the same Lance Armstrong that overcame cancer and used it to be an inspiration to others. Indeed his cycling exploits established him among the greatest cyclists of all time.
When things like this happen it understandably evokes passionate reactions from people. Some prefer to remember people for the positive impact they made in life. They recall the good charity work, the time they invested in helping people’s dreams come true and the extent to which they raised people’s esteem.
Some are all about condemning and castigating the former hero. To have presented a front of respectability which hides something a great deal more sinister is a fall from grace, some people cannot recover from. It hurts like betrayal and it tarnishes everything about them. Anything good they ever did can never be seen in the same light again.
I am not saying which way I go where that’s concerned. I am saying this. When I read about the heroes of faith, some of their ‘indiscretions’ were fairly serious. In fact by fairly serious, I really mean very serious. I mean people being killed kind of serious.
What makes them heroes of faith, though, is that their failings and sins did not stop them from pursuing and living for the God of righteousness, justice, love and mercy. As long as He is on His throne, no matter the level of depths we fall into, there is still redemption. And as long as He is holy and righteous there is no one who can make a claim against someone as though they’ve never been guilty of indiscretions themselves. The argument of not being as bad as others doesn’t cut it in the scheme of things.
Thinking the best about people is a healthy pursuit. The failing, flaws and faults that people have and the traumas they cause are not to be dismissed, I’m not suggesting that for a minute. Yet these things happen and after they happen we have a choice as to whether to be part of the process of healing, restoration and reconciliation or the path that leads to hatred, contempt and bitterness.
It is events like these that really challenges followers of Christ to see if they know and can express the love that covers a multitude. By cover, I certainly don’t mean condone, but it certainly prevents a condemnation without hope for redemption.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
Life With CD 