“. . . if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.”  – 2 Timothy 2:5

When I was about eight years old, just big enough to play little league baseball, I got assigned to, what turned out to be, the best team in the league in our age division (no thanks to my contribution).  Being the team to beat that year, and everyone out to get us, there was this one particular game when the assigned home-plate umpire failed to show, upon which a plea went out among the spectators for someone to volunteer.  Finally, a man sitting in the opposing team’s bleachers raised his hand.  Except, by about the third inning it became obvious he was intent on throwing the game, calling balls strikes and strikes balls, calling players out when they were safe, and safe when they were out, all to the advantage of the opposing team who, in the end, did in fact win.

His actions were so blatant that everyone knew what he was doing – coaches on both sides, players, and spectators – yet no one intervened.  Cheating is hard to take any time, but at our tender age we could hardly imagine such a thing.  After all, it was totally contrary to what had been drilled into us by our parents, teachers, coaches, and Sunday School teachers throughout our young lives, to be honest and follow the rules.  But on that fateful day we lost our innocence as far as that was concerned.

We all have stories like that, don’t we?  And we all struggle with how people get away with dishonesty and breaking the rules, in sports and in life.  How did the guy living in the big mansion get by with swindling others?  How about a classmate who made the honor roll or won a scholarship after cheating on the exams?  Or what about the athletes who have gotten away with using steroids?

So much for the old adage that “winners never cheat, and cheaters never win.”  Right?  That is, unless you reconsider the definition of a winner, which is what my teammates and I learned from that little league game; for whatever behind-the-scenes conversations among the adults there may have been, we were instructed by our parents and coaches to not dwell on the incident and simply move forward in preparing to play the next game.  Theirs was a lesson in grace and forgiveness, making us the real winners, recipients of a lesson-of-a-lifetime, and a true “victor’s crown.”

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”  – Luke 12:48 

When I was in eighth grade I competed on the football field against a guy from a neighboring community named Arthur Hernandez.  What I wish I could forget about him after all these many years but have been unable to is that every time I lined up against him he took me out – every time!  But the thing I’ll remember forever and hope I never forget is what an incredible leader and gentleman Arthur was – even at the ripe young age of fourteen.  Every time he knocked me on my fanny, when the play was over I would look up and see Arthur’s hand extended to help me up along with an encouraging word and a pat on the back, just before giving me another pounding.  It will come as no surprise that Arthur was the captain of his team, and to prove what kind of leader he was he always addressed the referees with utmost respect calling them “sir”, and would apologize when his team committed an infraction that resulted in a penalty.

I had a chance to get to know Arthur off the field at various area youth events, and I can honestly say he lived up to being very much the gentleman I witnessed on the football field.  He inspired me to want to be like him – then and now – playing to win but ever gracious regardless of victory or defeat.  Above all, Arthur exhibited all the characteristics of a truly great leader, like I’ve rarely seen in my lifetime.

I’ve heard it said that a great leader never sets himself above his followers except in carrying responsibilities.  That pretty well sums up Arthur Hernandez.  Unfortunately, we lost touch and I never knew what became of him, but I can only imagine that he must have become enormously successful and a highly effective and respected leader in whatever endeavors he pursued; for great leaders are always given increased opportunities and responsibilities just as the scripture says: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” 

A hard charging guy who played to win (I’ve got bruises to prove it), but always gracious and fair, with an extended hand and an encouraging word, that was Arthur Hernandez, the model of a great leader, still inspiring me today.

“. . . unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  – Matthew 18:3 

It has been well said that if the young could be old for just a day, they would neither fear so much growing old, nor foolishly squander the days of their youth.  As one with a lot of years under my belt, I get this.  If only I had heeded such wise counsel in my younger days.  And, oh, how I long to pass it along to my five beautiful young granddaughters.  If only they would listen.  But then, who among us ever has?

Thankfully, my grandchildren are being raised in good homes by loving parents devoted to their nurturance, encouragement, growth, development, and general well-being.  As a result, they are happy children surrounded by family – both immediate and extended – living in nice neighborhoods, attending quality schools where they have a multitude of friends.  And on the occasion when they do skin a knee or get their feelings hurt, mom and dad are there to comfort and console.

As their grandfather, how I wish they could remain in that protective cocoon, and if I had the power I would see to it they live that way forever.  But as we all know, sooner or later life will smack them in the face, at least at some level.  Either it will catch them by surprise, or they will bring it on themselves.  Most likely, a little of both.  Eventually, they must discover that mom’s and dad’s pockets are not ATM machines, that not all people are nice, that life sometimes serves up aches and pains, broken hearts and broken bones, disappointments and hurt feelings, and mom and dad are not always there to comfort and console.  I pray often that it may never happen with my precious little girls, but inevitably it will, as it has with all of us.

If only they could be old for just one day, how much better prepared they would be when the day comes that life smacks them in the face.  On the other hand, maybe that’s all backwards.  Perhaps it might be better said that if the old – like me – could be young again for just one day, to experience their innocence, we might not be so inclined to squander our time worrying about the future – theirs and ours.  For, “. . . unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  If that is true, then it is the young and innocent who have had it right all along.

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life for many years and bring you prosperity.” – Proverbs 3:1-2 

“A father, being on the point of death, wished to be sure that his sons would give the same attention to his farm as he himself had given it.  He called them to his bedside and said, ‘My sons, there is a great treasure hid in one of my vineyards.’  The sons, after his death, took their spades and mattocks and carefully dug over every portion of their land.  They found no treasure, but the vines repaid their labor by an extraordinary and superabundant crop.”  – from Aesop’s fables 

There is a vast difference between “knowledge” (having the facts) and “wisdom” (applying those facts to life).  While we may amass knowledge, without wisdom it is useless.  Rather, we must learn to “live out” what we know.  The father understood the facts of farming, in particular that vigorous tilling of the soil would produce an abundant harvest, but it was only through his wisdom that he was able to convey this knowledge to his sons in such a way that they in turn would “live it out” and perpetuate his legacy.

“Wise refers to skill in living,” explains Eugene Peterson in his book Earth and Altar.  “It does not mean, primarily, the person who knows the right answers to things but one who has developed the right responses (relationships) to persons, to God.  The wise understand how the world works; know about patience and love, listening and grace, adoration and beauty; know that other people are awesome creatures to be respected and befriended . . . know that God is an ever present center, a never-diminishing reality, an all-encompassing love . . .”

We are often encouraged to be life-long learners, and rightly so.  But more importantly we should strive to become life-long seekers of wisdom – in how to “live out” the knowledge we attain with greater understanding and deeper meaning.

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life for many years and bring you prosperity.”  And therein lay the great treasure the father had bequeathed his sons, more valuable than anything they could ever have imagined.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  – Galatians 6:9 

It all started when Lanell Armstrong and a friend started showing up at an elementary school playground on Saturday mornings offering Kool-Aid and store-bought cookies to a bunch of fourth and fifth grade boys who regularly gathered there to play pick-up basketball.  The school was in a bad neighborhood plagued with drugs, violence, and gang activities.  As Lanell was well aware, fifth grade boys are the exact age group gang leaders target to lure them into the gang life, so she thought that by offering them free Kool-Aid and cheap cookies she might be able to engage them enough to point their lives in a different direction.  Thus was the beginning of Crossfire Ministries from which, over the years, countless lives have been transformed, many saved before they succumbed to gang life, others rescued from it years later, some from jail or prison, for Lanell never gives up on anyone – ever.  Today she’s like a go-to mom – more of a Mother Teresa, actually – who is always there for the kids in that neighborhood.

People like Lanell, extraordinary as her good works may be, tend to fly beneath the radar.  (I know her only because a mutual friend introduced us several years ago.)  But it is because she and thousands of others like her who are impacting the world in amazing ways are invisible to most of us, we tend to place our lot on the high profile – the rich and powerful political class – to set our broken world aright.

This should come as no great surprise, for such has been the case throughout history.  Two thousand years ago people had anticipated a Messiah who would come charging in on a white horse and overthrow the corrupt powers-that-be.  Instead, we got a boots-on-the-ground guy named Jesus from the obscure village of Nazareth who traveled about the countryside and villages – mostly under the radar – feeding, healing, and teaching.  Yet, who has ever done more to set this broken world aright than He?

As we are in the midst of a highly charged political season, I for one plan to do my part to stay engaged.  But when it comes to setting the world aright, I place my lot on Jesus of Nazareth, through the example of people like Lanell.  So, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”