Just Remember!

I have learned that society puts a lot of time and effort in sports. We have players making multiple millions of dollars. These players do however put their bodies in harms way and risk a lot by playing games they love whether that be football, basketball, hockey, baseball, etc... The world has made them into these heroes and saints and sometimes even demons. 

So with that said, being two days removed from the Super Bowl I am reminded how easily we forget and how I am reminded that this world is, "What Have You Done For Me Lately," kind of world. Peyton Manning who has been nothing but brilliant during his career on and off the football field. The big game, The Super Bowl, he and the Broncos laid an egg;they didn't play well. 

Yesterday there were the announcers, analyst, etc... who asked: Should Peyton retire? Is Peyton's legacy going to be tarnished? Is he a top 10 quarterback of all times? The list just goes on and on. After the game even in defeat Peyton was asked by a reporter to his face, “ Was tonight an embarrassment?”

And Manning said this:

"It’s not embarrassing at all. I would never use that word. The word ‘embarrassing’ is an insulting word, to tell you the truth."

He said, “We played a great team.”

And he was exactly right. The Seahawks have, arguably, one of the three or four best defenses of all time. Over the course of this season, the Seahawks have allowed exactly 16 passing touchdowns, an average of one per game. They allow the fewest number of passing yards per attempt of any team in the league.

The fact is that the Broncos played bad and the Seahawks played great and now they are the World Champs. Folks someone has to win and someone has to loose. In life we are going to fall on our faces and the world might have to see us in this failure. The most important thing is, how do we react to failure?

Peyton Manning, like him or not handled the situation with class and respect. What he did after game speaks volumes of his character. Late in game Richard Sherman of the Seahawks, got hurt and had to get medical assistance. Peyton Manning went to and check on how he was doing. Sherman this about Peyton,

“He was really concerned about my well-being. After a game like that, a guy who’s still classy enough to say ‘How are you doing?’ To show that kind of concern for an opponent shows a lot of humility and class.

“[...] He’s a Hall of Fame player, he’s a living legend, he’s a record-holding quarterback, he’s a Super Bowl champion, he’s been a Super Bowl MVP.”  

This leads to another story of a person who failed but was redeemed and ended up being known as, "THE ROCK."

Luke 22:31-34 Jesus reveals to Peter that he will deny 3 times before the rooster crows. Peter lets Jesus know quick, "Surely not me Lord." 

Then the moment comes, Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested. Peter follows the guards towards the high priest's home but on the way little did he know the moment Jesus was talking about would come so soon. 

The "BIG GAME," "BIG MOMENT," was here for Peter. In Luke 22:56-62 it says,56 "One of the servant-girls saw Peter as he sat by the fire and looked right at him. She said, “This man was with Jesus also.” 57 Peter lied and said, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 58 After awhile another person saw him and said, “You are one of them also.” Peter said, “No, sir, I am not.” 59 About an hour later another person said the same thing, “For sure, this man was with Jesus also because he is from Galilee.”60 But Peter said, “Sir, I do not know what you are saying.” And at once, while he was talking, a rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. He remembered the Lord had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know Me.” 62 Peter went outside and cried with a troubled heart."

In this story we find out that even Peter failed and he failed miserably. But isn't awesome that we serve a God that forgives us. I am glad people in general are not the ones who govern me because I feel like they would do what they have done to Peyton Manning and that is just give up on him because I know he didn't perform well in the moment. The thing is, he will fail again. In a lot ways Peter faced his biggest game or test and guess he failed too! 

Check out what was told to Mary Magdalene and Mary (Jesus's Mother)as they noticed Jesus wasn't there. An angel spoke to them and said, "Go, tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you."(Mark 16:7)

Notice what the angel says, "Especially Peter;" Why Peter, he failed Jesus miserably. He denied Jesus three times. Folks it's simply GRACE. By grace we are redeemed by GRACE we are made whole. You see, Jesus paid it all and he forgives us for our sins. He wants us to do the right thing even after we fall on our faces. 

Peyton Manning I applaud you and your actions. Thanks for being a wonderful role-model. Christians on the other hand, lets be easy to forgive and remember that the only Testament someone may see may not be the Holy Bible but simple may be through you. Stay classy and glorify, THE ONE AND ONLY," who redeems you.