REFLECTIONS
May 8, 2011
 
 
The memory of the righteous will be a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
Proverbs 10:7
 
 
Sharp Contrasts
 
Tears were easy to find in the eyes of professional golfers around the world. They were shed over the passing of Severiano Ballesteros, affectionately known as Seve. Stories abounded of the swashbuckling Spaniard who brought a commanding presence to golf courses around the world in the mid-1980’s and early 1990’s. The stories expressed awe for the way he played the sport that gave him notoriety, and brought forth smiles from the joy he brought to their personal lives. When in the heat of competition, Seve’s eyes burned with daring intensity; when engaged in team matches they danced with lively encouragement to his teammates. But when looking on troubled or needy faces, they warmed with caring, compassion, and love.
The memories of Seve were shared in celebration of the life he lived. They honored his uncommon prowess on the golf course, but most of all they honored the man for the warmth they felt from his heart.
Scarcely a week earlier, the world celebrated the passing of another notable personality—a man who impacted the lives of many more people in the world than the Spanish golfer. Yet the responses to the two deaths were sharp contrasts. The face of Osama bin Laden highlighted the figure of wickedness and evil to most people in the free world. The memories of his life painted images of fear, destruction and death. While the passing of Seve Ballesteros gave rise to celebrations for a life well lived; the death of Osama bin Laden gave rise to celebrations for a life extinguished.
There seems to be no more powerful message to the living than reflection on the defining qualities of one who has passed away. And therein is the lesson. One of the most common fears we share is that our lives will not make a difference. For that concern we should have no worry. Our lives will make a difference. The only question is how.
When those around us pause to replay their memories of our lives, those memories will either celebrate blessings we carried from our hearts; or they will celebrate…well, sharp contrasts.
And the choice is ours.
 
You are the light of the world,
RichardÌ
 www.reflectingthesavior.org.

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