These last few months have been challenging. Recently, communities have been maneuvering around a number of different types of obstacles. Once we get over one hurdle, another one quickly appears. Our ability to manage multiple obstacles simultaneously is interfering with our ability to win timely. Clearly, the first hurdle of COVID-19 came unexpectedly. We had no time to train or prepare. This disturbance put us in last place before the race began. But, the second hurdle, the most important one, feels like we have been jumping over it for centuries – the pursuit to love one another.
During a time when racial mixing was taboo, the friendship of two men found a way to reach across racial barriers. In 1965, a white football player, Brian Piccolo, recruited as a free agent for the Chicago Bears, eventually became best friends with an African-American teammate Gale Sayers. It was an unlikely friendship, during unlikely times of segregation. It was the first time in NFL history that a black and white player roomed together. All eyes were on them. Blacks and whites typically lived separately, ate separately, and socialized separately. Relationships were superficial, approached cautiously, or sometimes obtained in secret. Amazingly, at the height of the civil-rights movement these men pulled off the unexpected. They made NFL roommate history, tore down an NFL color-barrier, and rebuilt a love-barrier.
When they first met, Piccolo spent most of his career living in the shadow of Sayers athleticism. Piccolo wasn’t fast enough. He wasn’t big enough. And Sayers had set a high athletic bar. Piccolo could have given up. But, instead of wallowing in self-pity, he chose hard work and teamwork. It was a turning point in his career and it opened the door to something new — a true multicultural friendship. When Piccolo was battling cancer later in his career, Sayers once said, “I love Brian Piccolo, and I’d like all of you to love him, too. Tonight, when you hit your knees, please ask God to love him.”
The pursuit of love is a command God gives all of us. When it’s paired with grace and mercy it is unstoppable. It will not, will not, will not in any way fail to complete its task nor let you down. So, strain for love and it will come. Work with mercy; and you’ll find charity and kindness near. Show grace because it imparts blessings that can help in times of need (Heb 4:15,16).
Racing was common in the city of Corinth around 67 A.D. I read that when an athlete was crowned during the ancient Olympics, his prize was a wreath of olive leaves and sometimes a statue of himself was erected. It was an honor to even be in the race; and a bigger honor to win. If this is true, how much more will we receive from God if we stay the course, He requires of us – to love one another?
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
I thank God for giving us the one thing we need most for a harmonious life together in difficult times – Love. It’s the glue that binds us. Love in action is self-control, patience, kindness, hope, endurance, and unselfishness. Without them we are nothing; we are declared unfit for the race; and will never take hold of the prize, because we will fail.
Unfortunately, there will only be a few runners willing to push through hurt, pain, and challenging obstacles. They’re the ones stretching in agony to obtain it. When others slow their efforts, love kicks it up a notch. When others say, “I can’t,” love says, “I will and I can.” Loving through tough times together is hard. Forgiveness is hard. Reconciliation is hard. But love conquers all.
Brenette Wilder of Lee’s Summit, Mo., (formerly of Altheimer, Ark.), is president of Kansas City Teen Summit and blogs at wordstoinspire105953116. word-press.com.
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