This week, my second week as a college student, I took part in a once in a lifetime opportunity that was held not even ten minutes away from my "dorm sweet dorm". Olympic swimmers Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps came to Athens to practice for an upcoming national competition at the Bulldog Grand Slam swim meet. How often can one say that she saw Olympians? Even more amazing, Olympians in her town?
Crazy, I know.
Here is a little secret about me: I know nothing about swimming. I can barely swim myself without drowning or kicking fellow swimmers in the process. Nevertheless, I was thrilled, nay, I was "fan-girling." I, Emily Wallace, was on the edge of my seat, fueled by the hope of getting a glimpse of these athletic prodegies (a picture of Ryan Lochte is included for your added pleasure).
My friends and I were dedicated. We woke up at six in the morning for tickets. We sat through two and a half hours of splishing and splashing to see Lochte and Phelps swim for a minute and a half. We even, shamefully, tagged Ryan Lochte in our Instragram posts. Then, we left, with only distant, blurry pictures and memories as our souvenirs.
Last night as I watched the videos of the swimmers over and over again, I began thinking. What made these men, these two ordinary Americans, famous? What image, what reputation are they upholding? Ryan Lochte with his reality show and silver grilled teeth, Michael Phelps with his Subway commercials and drug busts.
Here is another question: who is Tim Howard?
For those of you who aren't in tune with current events, there is this sporting event called The World Cup going on. Apparently, it is huge. I think it is soccer...or is it football?
Tim Howard is the goalie for the American team. In America's final game against Belgium, Howard made sixteen goal saves, creating a new record for number of saves, the last one occurring in 1966. Americans were buzzing with excitement for this "soccer hero". He was even noted as the United State's Secretary of Defense. To me, though, he is a hero for a different team.
Amidst all of the flashing camera lights and news reporters, one thing about Howard was never mentioned: his faith. Howard, a faithful Christian, was noted in a recent interview for being grounded in his faith, to which he responded: "We all need God in certain ways, you know. And I certainly fall short in a lot of categories. And it's at those times that I need much more help than most.” Howard also credited his grandmother and his battle with Tourette's for his saving grace, bringing him to his faith.
Howard also has called his life a "dream", noting that if his fame went away, he would be at peace due to Christ's love.
In 2006, Howard first described Christ as his priority, saying that soccer was simply a bonus. Also in 2006, golfer Phil Mickleson lost his chance at three consecutive major titles due to a double bogey. Cyclist FloydLandis was stripped of us Tour de France title after testing positive for steroids. Basketball star Kobe Bryant scored a total of eighty-one points in one game. What stories do we, the American sport-watchers, remember?
Here we are, today, idolizing our quarterbacks for their championship rings, our pitchers for their no-hitters. What other important wins have we missed due to our athletically-obsessed devotions?
I am not saying that we are placing false appreciation on our sport stars, for they are most deserving of a clap and cheer. But when our athletes play for another team, one in which wins and losses aren't everything, where their coach doesn't wear the team colors on Saturday afternoons, where the glory of their abilities is credited to their maker, shouldn't a standing ovation be given?
In Exodus 20:3, we are told to honor no gods above our Heavenly Father. So, reader, who are you honoring? Does your idol come in a red and white uniform with a 23 stamped on the back? What does he or she stand for?
Wear your jersey proudly, America. After all, we are the land of the free, the home of the brave, and above all else, a nation under God.
Thanks for listening.
Always,
Emily
Read more about Tim Howard and his stand for his Heavenly Father at
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/katie-yoder/2014/07/02/shhhh-tim-howard-s-christian#ixzz37UnVszT0
Crazy, I know.
Here is a little secret about me: I know nothing about swimming. I can barely swim myself without drowning or kicking fellow swimmers in the process. Nevertheless, I was thrilled, nay, I was "fan-girling." I, Emily Wallace, was on the edge of my seat, fueled by the hope of getting a glimpse of these athletic prodegies (a picture of Ryan Lochte is included for your added pleasure).
My friends and I were dedicated. We woke up at six in the morning for tickets. We sat through two and a half hours of splishing and splashing to see Lochte and Phelps swim for a minute and a half. We even, shamefully, tagged Ryan Lochte in our Instragram posts. Then, we left, with only distant, blurry pictures and memories as our souvenirs.
Last night as I watched the videos of the swimmers over and over again, I began thinking. What made these men, these two ordinary Americans, famous? What image, what reputation are they upholding? Ryan Lochte with his reality show and silver grilled teeth, Michael Phelps with his Subway commercials and drug busts.
Here is another question: who is Tim Howard?
For those of you who aren't in tune with current events, there is this sporting event called The World Cup going on. Apparently, it is huge. I think it is soccer...or is it football?
Tim Howard is the goalie for the American team. In America's final game against Belgium, Howard made sixteen goal saves, creating a new record for number of saves, the last one occurring in 1966. Americans were buzzing with excitement for this "soccer hero". He was even noted as the United State's Secretary of Defense. To me, though, he is a hero for a different team.
Amidst all of the flashing camera lights and news reporters, one thing about Howard was never mentioned: his faith. Howard, a faithful Christian, was noted in a recent interview for being grounded in his faith, to which he responded: "We all need God in certain ways, you know. And I certainly fall short in a lot of categories. And it's at those times that I need much more help than most.” Howard also credited his grandmother and his battle with Tourette's for his saving grace, bringing him to his faith.
Howard also has called his life a "dream", noting that if his fame went away, he would be at peace due to Christ's love.
In 2006, Howard first described Christ as his priority, saying that soccer was simply a bonus. Also in 2006, golfer Phil Mickleson lost his chance at three consecutive major titles due to a double bogey. Cyclist FloydLandis was stripped of us Tour de France title after testing positive for steroids. Basketball star Kobe Bryant scored a total of eighty-one points in one game. What stories do we, the American sport-watchers, remember?
Here we are, today, idolizing our quarterbacks for their championship rings, our pitchers for their no-hitters. What other important wins have we missed due to our athletically-obsessed devotions?
I am not saying that we are placing false appreciation on our sport stars, for they are most deserving of a clap and cheer. But when our athletes play for another team, one in which wins and losses aren't everything, where their coach doesn't wear the team colors on Saturday afternoons, where the glory of their abilities is credited to their maker, shouldn't a standing ovation be given?
In Exodus 20:3, we are told to honor no gods above our Heavenly Father. So, reader, who are you honoring? Does your idol come in a red and white uniform with a 23 stamped on the back? What does he or she stand for?
Wear your jersey proudly, America. After all, we are the land of the free, the home of the brave, and above all else, a nation under God.
Thanks for listening.
Always,
Emily
Read more about Tim Howard and his stand for his Heavenly Father at
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/katie-yoder/2014/07/02/shhhh-tim-howard-s-christian#ixzz37UnVszT0