Michael Phelps captured my attention at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He won six gold and two bronze medals--impressive. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Phelps left me speechless. He holds the record for the most gold medals won at a single Olympics. He won eight medals--Ridiculous!!
Therefore, it was somewhat disappointing when I heard Phelps acknowledge his use of pot at a party at the University of South Carolina in November of 2008. Why Phelps? I asked. You could handle the pressure of winning 8 gold medals and not handle the pressure of pot? The debates have since sparked concerning his conduct because he is supposedly a role model and considering all the money he is getting from his endorsements, its a slap in the face. Some critics are saying that his sponsors are not setting the standard of responsibility--there are consequences to ones actions. Kellogg’s however has been the only sponsor who has taken action to date-dropping Phelps completely as one of their endorsers. I heard one critic, Dave Zirin, says, "If Kellogg’s really cared about kids, they would stop making frosted flakes and do something about child obesity in this country." I will leave that argument alone.
Pat Forde says of Phelps: "He was not prepared to live with the limitations he put himself in. He is no longer a normal twenty three year old, he is now in an unusual situation...you cannot be photographed holding a bong with your face over it...." As I pondered that statement, something jumped out at me in Forde's observation. "He (Phelps) was not prepared to live with the limitations he put himself in." With all the accolades, endorsements, and notoriety, Phelps maybe never completely understood that he was no longer a "regular" 23 year old. The tide had turned when he decided to pursue his dreams and become a professional athlete. Every move he made would be scrutinized to the maximum, especially if you win 8 gold medals in one Olympic.
Not to be so hard on Phelps though, there have also been Christians who have had their personal shares of scrutiny. Just recently, Rev. Ted Haggard has been in the media talking about his gay sexual allegations from two years ago. The community of believers is divided on his actions. Some believe Rev. Haggard has been contrite and that he has helped some acknowledge their personal struggles. Others have disapproved of his "media blitz" stating he is not ready to talk to the community because he is not being truthful. Needless to say, the debates can go on with regards to Phelps or Haggard. This one thing I can say however-we all have demons to fight each day, whether Haggard, Phelps, Barkley, Swaggart, super bowl XLIII MVP Holmes, Weeks, now A-Rod.... we ALL have issues. The only difference in these situations (Phelps/Haggard etc) is that their issues were made public because of the notoriety that comes with their “popularity.”
There are a number of 23 year olds walking the streets smoking pot. There are a number of pastors sleeping around and still preaching. For the Christian however, in private or in public, we have a greater audience than CNN, NBC, CBS, ESPN, to mention but a few. Our audience is God and whether our issues are made public or not, this one this we do know, God knows. I am not trying to sound the "overly righteous trumpet" because I am mindful of what Galatians 6:1-5 tells us:
"Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might need forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived...." (Message Bible.)
However, there is also Scripture that allows us to take stock of our lives and it calls us to take personal responsibility of our actions like the one below:
I Corinthians 6:12
NIV-"Everything is permissible for me"-but not everything is permissible for me"-but I will not be mastered by anything."
NLT-"You may say, 'I am allowed to do anything.' But I reply, 'Not everything is good for you.' And even though "I am allowed to day anything, I must not become a slave to anything."
I believe as Christians, we are sometimes not prepared to live with limitations set by God for our lives, as in the case of Phelps set by the public eye. We want to live a life of "freedom" but may I suggest that our freedom is in our "limitations” within Christ. Apostle Paul, one of the greatest minds of the New Testament acknowledged that we can do whatever we want to do, but when all is said and done, not all things are lawful. He understood the consequences of living a life without limitations. The tension between the fleshly passions and what God is calling us to becomes "overbearing" in our minds. But when we understand and know that God knows better, we are free to live with our limitations. God forbid that we act on every action that comes to mind. We have a responsibility as Christians to be mindful of places we go to, things we watch, conversations we engage in, things we read, people we spend our time with etc. It may not necessarily be a picture taken of us with a bong showing on every media outlet, but we sure have one who looks at us who is greater.
I often wonder what would have happened if Phelps had friends who pulled him aside before he took the bong and challenged him on the responsibility of limitations he has to a generation. Maybe the conversation would have gone something like this:
Phelps: Hey, can I try that? Is that Marijuana?
Friend: Dude, you are Michael Phelps, you may want to reconsider your request.
Phelps: Dude, no harm. It will only be a minute:
Friend: C'mon man; you don't want to do this. Remember the fall out you had when you were caught drunk? What will you say this time if you are caught?
Phelps: What's your problem man? No one will know, there are no cameras around.
Friend: I am only trying to help you Mr. 14 gold and 2 bronze medals. You have so much weighing on your shoulders. I would hate to see your name dragged in the mad. Think about the consequences of your actions. You can do your thing, but just remember it may come back to haunt you. Instant gratification is but for a minute, but the consequences may be a lifetime.
Phelps: Hmm!!! (Pondering hard)
Whatever happened after that would have been Michael's own decision, but at least he would have had time to think through his actions because a friend or two cared that deeply for him--assuming a friend did not pull him aside:
Side note: Be careful of friends who are not looking out for your own good, wanting to drag you down in their mess. Call is legalism, religious, etc; there is a price to pay in following Christ. It is in our limitations that we find freedom in Him. We may never understand it on this side of heaven, but be rest assured, one day we will be thankful that we set limitations on ourselves.
Dr. Benjamin Crandall, former president of Zion Bible College, always made this statement in chapel often; "Your gift will take you places where your character cannot keep you." My prayer for each one of us, more so Christians, is that we do not make excuses for our actions, but be responsible grown men and women who take responsibility. We need to begin to set limitations on our lives. No one is perfect. God is pretty familiar with that story. God has, however, given us the ability to live a life that can be free of drama if we let Him. It’s called dying to the flesh. We are all a work in progress.
So here is the challenge:
If you think of cussing, is it worth an audience with God?
If you think of premarital sex, is it worth an audience with God?
If you think of telling a lie, is it worth an audience with God?
If you think of smoking a joint, is it worth an audience with God?
If you think of watching something, is it worth an audience with God?
If you think of not reading something, is it worth an audience with God?
There is a greater audience other than ESPN, CBS, and Fox News!!
I end with this, "Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or brought under its power." I pray I only become a slave to that which Christ asks of me; that is the limitation I am willing to live with at all times!
