Brotherly Love Needed in Philadelphia
CBN.com - It would be easy for me to fill this space today with derogatory missives aimed at the recent bad boy exploits of Philadelphia 76ers superstar Allen Iverson. I could lob cynicism-laced barbs at a player who seems to be on a collision course with the state penitentiary more so than the NBA penthouse, but I will not. However, there is one point that should be made and then underscored with a bold red line: Allen Iverson needs help and lots of it.
Here are the cold, harsh realities of Iversons plight. He allegedly threw his naked wife out of their mansion in the wee hours of the morning. The car she reportedly drives had several windows smashed out of it. Iverson, in a desperate search to find his wife, went to a West Philadelphia apartment with his uncle, armed with a gun. He burst into the dwelling, threatened two men with a semi-automatic handgun demanding to know where his wife was. The bizarre episode resulted in the four time NBA All-Star being charged with four felonies and 10 lesser offenses. It doesnt take a genius to figure out that where there is smoke there is probably a blaze a burnin.
It was during this aforementioned tirade, that Iverson blurted out a rather chilling statement.
"Im either going to die or Im going to jail, and I guarantee you Im not going to die."
As I read this quote and others like it from the affidavit filed with the Philadelphia Police Department one word kept filtering its way into my thought process: desperation. Despite a highly successful playing career, being blessed with a wife and two children, and a multi-million dollar mansion in an exclusive neighborhood, Allen Iverson is desperate. Desperate to be recognized for who he is not for what he has. Desperate to be loved.
Many critics will point to a rough and tumble upbringing in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia as the root of his troubles. Others make mention that perhaps he was not adequately prepared to handle such a dizzying degree of success at such a young age. Some even believe it is his destiny.
The flashbulb that snapped Iversons glassy eyed, disheveled, million-mile stare mugshot had barely dimmed before various media pundits began offering up their interpretations of the situation. Expecting to see several "Allen Iverson Needs Help" themes, many sports journalists instead seemed to delight in the frivolities of a situation that didnt warrant them. Topics ranging from hairstyling critiques of Iversons mugshot cornrows to a "Free Allen Iverson" campaign on the streets of Philadelphia seemed to be the norm not the exception.
In the past, society was always quick to ridicule someone in this situation. But inexplicably, the current trend seems to be to glorify them. Ask yourself these questions if even half of the allegations against Allen Iverson are true, should he be glorified as a hero? Due to his rather murky past, should his jersey be the number one selling NBA jersey in America? Not to get up on my soapbox, but if you answered yes to either of the previous two questions, it is a poor reflection of societal values in America today.
Based on the current state of affairs, Iverson certainly qualifies for thug status. There is no denying he created the situation he is in. But rather than dwell on the self-implosion of a sports hero lets focus on what can be done to help him and the thousands of others who find themselves in a similar situation like his at this moment.
While we sometimes want to condemn people because they have chosen to live on the darker side of life, it is our duty as Christians to reflect the graciousness and caring of our savior Jesus Christ.
In the New Testament book of Galatians the apostle Paul writes that we are to help and encourage those who have gone astray. In chapter 6:1-3 he says, "Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian (anyone) is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each others troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself."
Sometimes a good dose of tough love appears to be the right solution, but remember the words of Paul. He points out that Jesus Christ used a "gentle and humble" approach in his counsel of those who had succumbed to sin. It is important to approach these types of situations with the love of Christ in our hearts. Before attacking a person for a sin they have committed ask yourself the now cliched question "What would Jesus do?" The answer is quite simple. He would be kind, humble, and yet persistent. But most importantly he would be quick to forgive.
As Christians we need to remember that. We also need to live it. In other words, we should not condemn but instead love those who are troubled with a good dose of tough but gentle, persistent love.
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