new church life: september/october 2016
more to be desired than gold
One of the many inspiring stories from the Games was American swimmer
Michael Phelps, who raised his total to 28 medals (23 gold) – making him
the most decorated Olympian of all time. But Phelps also has one of the more
intriguing back stories, which we didn’t hear so much about.
It is no secret that before he reached these latest heights he had come to
the lowest point in his life. Just two years ago he was arrested for driving under
the influence and his life suddenly plunged in a downward spiral. He said in a
television interview that this “was more of a sign than anything else that I had
to get something under control, whatever it was. I look back at that night, and
everything happened for a reason.”
He checked himself into rehab and said: “I was at the lowest place I’ve
ever been.” He even contemplated suicide. “I felt like I just didn’t want to see
another day – felt like it should be over. I think I was at a point in my life where
something needed to change. And I needed to figure things out.”
At this point Ray Lewis, a friend and former linebacker for the Baltimore
Ravens, gave him a copy of the Rev. Rick Warren’s popular best-seller: The
Purpose Driven Life.
Phelps later told the national TV sports channel ESPN that he became
known as Preacher Mike in his rehab sessions because he began every session
with lessons he learned from this book. He called Lewis to say, “I can’t thank
you enough. You saved my life.”
Eric Metaxas, author of many Christian books, says this story “is a
reminder of the role that God’s people are called to play as bringers of hope
and agents of restoration. The results may not be as dramatic as Phelps’ story,
but they will matter every bit as much.”
After dominating five Olympic Games, Phelps is said to be looking
forward to retirement and spending time with his newborn son. He will have
many lessons to teach him from what it took to win all those gold medals – but
lessons as well about what gave him purpose and saved his life.
Perhaps one of them will be from Psalms 19:9,10: “The judgments of the
Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold,
yea, than much fine gold.”
(BMH)
what makes a country great?
“America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America
will cease to be great.” This familiar quotation is attributed to Alexis de
Tocqueville, from his great work on Democracy In America. But it doesn’t
matter who said it – the thought is certainly true. There is more to greatness
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