The streets in his home city were packed. Tributes flooded in from around the world.
He was such a great sportsman, his brilliance brought people to their feet in rapturous applause and adulation. He garnered a large following and people would share stories about just how amazing he was at what he did. Those who worked closely with him would talk about him in glowing terms too, how he was not arrogant and in fact a lot of the time would be shy and retiring always preferring other people to be the centre of attention.
There was the fact, however, that parts of his personal life were disastrous. Being the aggressor in episodes of physical abuse, he also struggled for years with substance abuse and never seemed to be able to kick the habit. Although he was shy at times, when he was sufficiently roused, he could be abrasive, dismissive and cold. In his final days, he shunned the efforts of the friends that remained to get the help he needed.
That aspect of his life was not touched on when it came to his funeral, though. All that was talked about was what a great sportsman he was and how that brought positive attention to the land he loved. He was their son and it was though any flaw, fault or failing could be overlooked because of what a great ambassador he was.
I always found it a little odd that such overflowing love and kindness could be shared about an individual with so many flaws. It appeared as though he was good as long as his gift dazzled and amazed people.
That applied to others who were not anywhere near as famous but had a position in a group or cultural setting. Leaders would be lauded even if they had some disconcerting dictatorial tendencies. Skilled workers would be admired even if their integrity left something to be desired.
When I thought about what grace was about, it came across that God expressed the ability to look beyond faults, but not to see people as only being of worth as long as they did good things. The grace He extended addressed the flaws.
It’s been my observation that holy people were not ones who would feel no issue about their faults. They were aware of them, but were not crippled by them and depended on the love of God to learn how to love. That meant they would not expose the flaws and failings in others, but they wouldn’t condone it. They would cultivate the environment for others to see the grace available to help them.
Oh for the grace to learn to rely on the love that helps us to love. So that we’re not just about whatever talents or abilities we have. We are seen for being more than that and so have the humility and grace to be more than that. Even as rely on the grace that looks beyond and helps us to see the reality.
Oh for that grace.
(Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 