Acts 10:34-36
Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Greg and I have enjoyed watching the Arkansas Razorbacks teams play – particularly football and basketball – for several decades. Over the years, we have not really had “favorites” on the teams. But I have to say, this year, I am pretty fond of sophomore basketball forward Bobby Portis. This kid is 6'11”, 242 pounds of pure awesomeness on the court. The reports from his coaches are that he is a hard worker who spends endless hours perfecting his skills…and it shows. As of December 23, Portis was the only player in the SEC in the top 4 in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage.
But what impressed me the most about Bobby Portis was his off-court story. In an article published December 30, 2014, on ESPN.go.com*, writer Myron Medcalf tells of how Portis defended himself and his mother against her drunken, abusive boyfriend. He also tells how Portis and his family came home – more than once during his teenage years – to find all of their belongings on the lawn in front of an apartment from which they had been kicked out. At one point, Portis even slept on the floor of a 2-bedroom residence that served as “home” to nine people.
Now, Portis plays basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks and seems destined for a career in the NBA. He credits former Arkansas Razorback stand-out and NBA forward Corliss Williamson, who coached this young man’s AAU basketball team, with giving him more than just good instruction and encouragement on the court. Portis says that Williamson “gave me love” – and that were it not for Williamson, he doesn’t know what he would have done.
There are a lot of people in this world who need love and encouragement. They may not all possess the athletic ability of Bobby Portis…but that doesn’t matter – or make them any less important. Let’s make this the year that we look around and reach out to those who need love and encouragement…people who desperately need to know how much God loves them. Let’s open our hearts and minds – and our arms – to the ones in our midst who need to feel our acceptance and inclusion. Let’s share the Good News that Jesus offers to each and every one of us – and truly give others the idea that THEY are just as significant to Him as the next person.
God plays no favorites…and neither should we. His door is open to everyone who wants a relationship with Him. Are you as tolerant and welcoming? Isn’t it time you were?
©2015 Debbie Robus
*http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12092388/arkansas-bobby-portis-overcomes-poverty-violence-prosper
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