Hyperbole or Teaching Moment: Kobe
The loss of a famous and arguably one of the best basketball players ever to play the game, has produced something that is remarkable. People who never met the man and some that barely watch the game, have suddenly started talking about this man as if he was their best friend. I saw the video of the helicopter plummeting to the ground and bursting into flames. It was terrible and it was a shock to all of us. However, what have we learned from it?
Driving in my car this morning I heard a sports radio show with reporters from various backgrounds, talk about the sadness they all personally felt. Then one of them said something that caused me to sit down and write this blog. Referring to the relationship Kobe had with his 13 year old daughter and their love of basketball, this reporter said this: "She quite possibly could have exceeded Kobe's accomplishments". Really?! You just told everyone that Kobe Bryant was one of the best players ever and now his daughter, who died with him, could have "exceeded" his accomplishments. Wow!
Then, as many others have claimed, it caused them to look at their own relationships with their children. I am not sure what that exactly means. It sounds good but what does it really mean?
As a chaplain in long term care and with police, I see my share of death. When I see the passing of another human, my thoughts go to one thing alone: were they ready for eternity? All the ridiculous jokes that so many use when talking about death shows a true ignorance on the subject of life and death. "Well I am going to hell with all my drinking buddies and we will party down there. Hahaha".
I guarantee you that many of those folks that are today talking about a former millionaire basketball player like he was their best friend, were the same ones joking about hell.
Reality sets in and so many of us have absolutely no answers about life, let alone death. At many funerals I point out the stark reality that we are all "terminal". We will all die and leave behind loved ones who will mourn our passing. The question I have for each of you reading this blog is simple: have you personally honestly looked at what eternity will be like for you? I have news for some of you who are "sending good thoughts and prayers" for Kobe: it is a useless exercise in futility because he is gone. Pray for the living and not the dead.
We don't like talking about death and perhaps that is why it is easier to talk about the death of a famous person. We knew him from afar but although we were shocked by the news, it doesn't really affect us. But yet, it does...apparently.
Here is something for you to ponder as you go about your day. Kobe Bryant will not be bringing along his millions of dollars, his beautiful home, his fancy cars. Neither will his daughter who died with him. According to the Bible, the time we spend on this earth is like (in our vernacular) a drop in the bucket. While we live on this earth we hopefully live it to the fullest but then what? Many of you reading this are in for a real shock one day and before you dismiss this idea, consider what you have to lose if what I am saying is true? Jesus Christ made a way for all of us to enjoy our eternity. I encourage you to look into it.
Driving in my car this morning I heard a sports radio show with reporters from various backgrounds, talk about the sadness they all personally felt. Then one of them said something that caused me to sit down and write this blog. Referring to the relationship Kobe had with his 13 year old daughter and their love of basketball, this reporter said this: "She quite possibly could have exceeded Kobe's accomplishments". Really?! You just told everyone that Kobe Bryant was one of the best players ever and now his daughter, who died with him, could have "exceeded" his accomplishments. Wow!
Then, as many others have claimed, it caused them to look at their own relationships with their children. I am not sure what that exactly means. It sounds good but what does it really mean?
As a chaplain in long term care and with police, I see my share of death. When I see the passing of another human, my thoughts go to one thing alone: were they ready for eternity? All the ridiculous jokes that so many use when talking about death shows a true ignorance on the subject of life and death. "Well I am going to hell with all my drinking buddies and we will party down there. Hahaha".
I guarantee you that many of those folks that are today talking about a former millionaire basketball player like he was their best friend, were the same ones joking about hell.
Reality sets in and so many of us have absolutely no answers about life, let alone death. At many funerals I point out the stark reality that we are all "terminal". We will all die and leave behind loved ones who will mourn our passing. The question I have for each of you reading this blog is simple: have you personally honestly looked at what eternity will be like for you? I have news for some of you who are "sending good thoughts and prayers" for Kobe: it is a useless exercise in futility because he is gone. Pray for the living and not the dead.
We don't like talking about death and perhaps that is why it is easier to talk about the death of a famous person. We knew him from afar but although we were shocked by the news, it doesn't really affect us. But yet, it does...apparently.
Here is something for you to ponder as you go about your day. Kobe Bryant will not be bringing along his millions of dollars, his beautiful home, his fancy cars. Neither will his daughter who died with him. According to the Bible, the time we spend on this earth is like (in our vernacular) a drop in the bucket. While we live on this earth we hopefully live it to the fullest but then what? Many of you reading this are in for a real shock one day and before you dismiss this idea, consider what you have to lose if what I am saying is true? Jesus Christ made a way for all of us to enjoy our eternity. I encourage you to look into it.
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