"He never raises his voice. He's never said a curse word. It is different - a coach like that in the NFL. Most guys do it with fear. He doesn't. The players respect him so much. They fear letting him down."
As the scoreboard clock ticked toward zero, Phil Simms spoke these words in describing the coach who's team was about to be crowned champions of the football world. Clearly, there was something that set this man apart. He wasn't like everyone else. He wasn't satisfied to do it the way everyone else does it.
In recieving the championship trophy, he revealed what sets him apart. "(This is) one of those moments, Tony, where there's social significance in this victory, and to have your hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy - tell me what this means to you right now," asked Jim Nantz of CBS.
Tony Dungy's response made me stand up and cheer.
"I tell you what - I'm proud to be representing African American coaches, to be the first African American to win this. That means an awful lot for our country. But again more than anything, I've said it before: Lovie Smith and I, not only the first two African Americans, but Christian coaches, showing you can do it the Lord's way. We're more proud of that."
I was thrilled to see a man the world recognizes as a man of chararcter - a man who is different from "everybody else" - stand up and without shame proclaim the reason for the hope that lies within him- that he is doing it the Lord's way, and that the Lord is the one who deserves the glory.
But I have had a lot of time to think about this today, and I find a deeper lesson in seeing this man's example last night on the nation's biggest stage, with everyone watching. To what extent do people look at my life in amazement at the difference between me and everyone else? When trials come, do I react like everyone else reacts, or do I trust the Lord and show that by my actions? Does my life stir up curiosity in others? Or am I content to blend in, like everyone else?
Jesus said that His disciples are the light of the world. The world is such a dark place that even the dimmest light ought to shine brightly and stick out. I am forced to wonder whether my light is making any difference at all in the lives of those who need my light, however small, to be a beacon of hope in a dark world. Jesus promises that I have the Spirit of God in me. If so, I ought to resemble my Heavenly Father in such a way that when people see me, they can see the resemblence.
It is Tony Dungy's gentle, quiet spirit amidst a world of turmoil that commands respect from the people around him. In the coming days, by God's grace, I hope to see that gentle, quiet spirit being developed in me. May my persuits be His persuits, until He takes me home.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment