I sit in utter shock, disbelief, disappointment, judgement, and prayer. As the news of the last couple of days continues to unfold about Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky and those involved in this horribly disgusting events, I have learned a couple of truths that I want to share today. Merely truths that I have discovered for my life and maybe through all this, you can also take them to heart so that you can avoid some of the major heartbreak that is taking place at State College, PA.
Joe Paterno, the patriarch of College Football…known as a hard worker, blue collar coach, and philanthropist. He practically built the Library at Penn State from his and his wife’s personal donations. He was a rock, a source of stability in a world of constant flux in the college years. Kids dreamed of playing for JoPa and wearing the black and white. The uniforms were by today’s standards…boring…but that is not how they were viewed by those faithful to PSU…they were classic, solid, traditional, or reflective of the attitude of Penn State. Joe Paterno built a history and wanted to go out and leave a legacy. 409 wins as a coach…the most wins by a Division 1 coach in history.
At our house, my kids have been drilled with the Bible verse found in 1 Corinthians 15:33 where the Apostle Paul penned the words,
“Do not be misled; bad company corrupts good morals.”
I try to teach them that the people they surround themselves with will either raise you to the next level or bring you down to theirs. The key to this Scripture isn’t the second part…rather it is the first. Do not be misled…that is the key. They get so tired of hearing this, but one day, it will be a filter for them when they become adults.
There are a couple of things that I have learned from this whole tragedy at Penn State University that I want to share with you today…
1. You can spend your whole life building a legacy and heritage that other people envy that can all be destroyed with one act of your associations. Integrity is still one of the cornerstones of an individual’s life…it is the one thing that you you either can hang your hat or can destroy your legacy.
What is your legacy saying right now? Are you putting yourself in the path for destruction?
Proverbs 28:18 says,
“Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.”
Sadly, we have all been witnesses to this in the past couple of days.
2. This type of situation with coaches, athletes and their families are the exact reason that I am called to the ministry that I am currently serving in with Game Changers.
Today, more than ever, people need to know the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Our world is dark, and unless Christians begin to be the light to the world outside of the church walls and shine…it will become darker.
I have heard it said, “All it takes for sin to abound is for good men and women to remain silent.” I have a different version…”All it takes for our world to become darker is for followers of Christ not to shine the light of Truth.”
Jesus Christ can be your Game Changer…He can set you free from your sin and the things that you find yourself entangled in…He loves you! He wants what is best for you! Will you let him turn the momentum in your life?
Will you let your light shine?
What is your responsibility to our world?
How can you leave a legacy that won’t be tainted?
oneguyseyes 