Well the truth is out, or at least the story is. Two prominent athletes are in the spotlight once again addressing issues in their life that have become major stories. If you were looking for either story you might look under references like: telling the truth, living a lie, reality, what does he know, Tour de France winner, Notre Dame to NFL, or even how long can this go on.
Why do we "cover-up" things in our lives? I would venture to guess that like these two, we want to spare ourselves the shame, perhaps we don't want to give up accolades or sympathy gained on the road paved with that lie, or perhaps the worst...maybe they believe the lie.
What I do know is that when we choose to feed the lie, it grows. Sometimes it grows to a never-ending strength that envelopes your life to the point that you belive it or it suffocates you. That seems to be the case here. Could it be that a major loss in their life caused them to search for attention and affirmation? Perhaps an individual in thier life is gone and has left them hollow? [In one case in the above one had no father figure the other recently lost his grandmother.] I don't know the answer to that question.
What I do know is that I have experienced both the lie and feeling hollow first hand and I did not understand it then, and still do not understand. I am grateful I still have my entire family in tact however, I do know the depth of loss and the feeling of emptiness and grief and I can say that it is at times unbearable. I also know the height of success and the feeling of accomplishment. I didn't get the accolades, awards or attention these guys received but in the end, the lies overshadowed the attention. Perhaps that was a reason to keep the lie going to feed that need.
Each of them would have been remembered for their accomplishments, I mean really...breaking all kind of records in their sports. You don't just become a Heisman trophy candidate without gaining some attention on the field first and people don't know who you are or about your sport unless you prove yourself on your bike first.
The sad part of living a lie is that it eventually has to die. In order for that to happen, you must come clean. I have yet to see someone "come clean" from a lie with their head held high. Oh yes, that may be what you see behind the camera but that is long after the head has fallen to shame and probably tears of sorrow.
I find it interesting...that word lie. When I discovered the lie, in my own life, my primary position was one of "lying" in the presence of my Lord. Some would call it "on my face." Interesting that the lie that brings you "temporary fame" would cause you to have to lie before the Lord. That is not a position of shame, it is a position of humility before God, the God that has the power to forgive. Regardless of the attention, public opinion, finger pointing, God is almighty with the power to forgive and restore.
So when the lie is exposed and you rise up from asking God for forgiveness, we move on. Oh there will be a time of battle, attack, criticism and much more but we walk through it. This is not the first time man has lied or has been exposed in a lie; that begin in the first book of the Bible, yet history continues to repeat itself daily. Please hear me, I am not insinuating that I am without fault. Many times it appears easier to tell/live a lie than to confess and many of us are guilty.
So to those who might ask "What's left...after the lie?" My response to that is "What is left is a new beginning." We can not erase what took place or the stories already written or reported, but we can change the future. A future that begins with forgiveness and grace. Rather than living the lie [untruth] I pledge to live the lie [lying in the presence of the Lord.] That is my prayer.
I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame...Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalms 33:4-5 & 11-14
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