My Plaxico Burress Moment

Getting a call from my friend Nicole telling me that Plaxico Burress was coming to Hampton Roads was a highlight of my day. Burress, a wide receiver for the New York Giants (also a WR on my Fantasy Football League), was coming to help hand out turkey and ham to the Twin Canal residents for Thanksgiving in conjunction with the United in Him (UIH) organization.

http://www.unitedinhim.org/

This would be the first active NFL player I would be meeting and I was excited about the opportunity to be handing out turkey with him, his friends and family, but more so, meeting Burress.

When the day finally came, I was excited and had my camera ready for a photo opportunity. When Burress finally came to the event, there were tones of people, media, police, to mention but a few. I took a back seat to observe this momentous occasion as Burress talked to the media and soon after, began signing autographs. It was amazing to see how some people in the crowd came with bags full of memorabilia for Burress to sign.

As I continued to observe what was going on, I realized that there were three groups of people at the Twin Canal housing developments. Burress’ friends and family, those who knew of him because of his fame as an NFL player, and those who did not know him, would care less who he was-they came to get the turkey and the ham for their meal. It was interesting observing all three groups and seeing how each reacted to Burress being there. His family and friends were not “moved” by the hysteria of his presence-they knew him-they grew up with him. They probably would tell us stuff about him that we would not want to believe because all we were seeing was “The Plaxico Burress.”

Then there were people like me who were excited, not believing that this person we are seeing without a football helmet on was walking amongst us. He was interacting with the crowd, playing with the little kids, giving a hug or two to men who came with other team jerseys, and not his New York Giants jerseys. When he got a breather-which was not a long one, he would have a chat with his family, and then back to being Burress, the NFL player, signing autographs.

The last group-the people who did not know who Burress was, acted accordingly-they did not know him. I saw them come get the turkey and ham, not even glance in his direction, thank the volunteers and head back home. I was amazed-short of screaming, ‘Don’t you know who is standing right in front of you?”

Three groups of people with three different expressions, reactions, and perspectives.

It made me consider three kinds of expectations we have as Christians in perceiving God. To some, God is perceived as “Friend and family;” we love him because of who He is. We have “grown” with Him in our struggles, our triumphs, in our everyday to day life. He has become a Father to us and we are not “moved” by the hysteria because we know Him.

Then, there are some of us who perceive God as a “celebrity.” We are struck by His fame but we do not really know Him, though we feel a sense of connection because we have seen what He is capable of doing. We have our paraphernalia ready for Him to sign. “Lord, I have a financial need, please use your pen to write me a check and I will be happy.” “God, I heard you can heal, I am sick, can you please lay your hands on me and heal me?” When God signs our paraphernalia (of which He does most time because He is a loving God), we are happy, besides ourselves, and we go our merry way, but with just a memory or highlight in our lives, but no relationship with the Father.

Then there are some of us who perceive God as a savior-Nothing more, nothing less-He needs to come to our rescue. If a memo did not go out about God’s salvation, we would still be deep in sin and in need of a savior. However, word has gone out about what He is offering and that is why we came. The need to have Him as savior is legit, however, we are not willing to go beyond the “savior” mentality. For us, it is, “what have you come to give me, because if you do not have it, I am not coming.” Nothing less-No relationship, but an experience of rescue because He can.

Are the three kinds of crowds that came to the “Plaxico Burress” event in question? Absolutely not! Each had their own “legit” reasons of being there. What mattered was Plaxico’s heart and U.I.H. Their heart was to help this community receive something that they would have otherwise not received.

When it comes to the crowds that come to God, is their perception of who God is wrong? Absolutely not! However, we know that God wants us to be a part of His family and to be His friend-a family that knows Him and His heart. He does not want us to just receive salvation and come with a wish list of what He can do for us. He is more than a wish-list paraphernalia signing God-He is a God who has His arms stretched out, wanting us to progress in our perception of His from savior to Father-He is that kind of God.

It was great meeting Burress-thanks to Nicole. I took a few pictures with him-I am glad he gave me something to think about when all was said and done!