Source: TYT Sports
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; . . . A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;“~Ecclesiastes 3:1-3,7
Coach Harbaugh like Ecclesiastes 3:7(b) stated there is a time to keep silent and a time to speak. Now is not the time to speak regarding abortion. It is like Ecclesiastes 3:3 says–a time to heal and a time to build up.
It is a time to help those who are ill and hurting. It is a time to remind them that there is still hope and God still loves them. It is a time to stand up to the racist remarks and jokes that COVID-19 is the Chinese virus. It is a time to speak and a time to be silent too.
Harbaugh, as one of the most notable and highest paid coaches in NCAA football, you have a responsibility like any other Christian athlete to use your platform to seek social justice. Abortion is a social issue and one dear to your heart as we can tell. But the example you are setting is not Christ-like. Further, your timing is off.
COVID-19 and abortion are not the same thing. Do I believe God would allow a pandemic to happen to get the world’s attention? Yes, and the key there is allow it to happen unlike cursing Pharaoh with the plagues. When the COVID-19 is contained, then feel free Harbaugh to go back and use your words to slay the dragon who see as abortion. Until then, try to remember the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery.
In John 8:3-11, several Pharisees and scribes try to set Jesus up to stone a woman caught in the act of adultery. But in His wisdom as always, Jesus simply tells them “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her (v. 7).” Jesus didn’t beat them over the head for trying to trap Him, and He didn’t condemn the woman for her mistakes.
The point is Jesus “stopping the world from spinning” isn’t just about abortion. It is not about going out here and practicing your First Amendment rights. God allow doctors to exist for a reason. He gave us wisdom and common sense to use it if we choose. But He does allow us to choose. The point could also very well be about appreciating life and most definitely about following His commandments like rest (Selah). It is about agape love.
Right now, the world is going back into its infancy and needs milk to build itself back up. It needs us to speak up for Asian Americans who are being wrongly accused of causing this virus and attacked. It needs us to respect the scientific leaders that God has given us as well as the laws handed down by our political leaders. The world needs us to donate, share and volunteer.
It does not need us to slay it with our words about everything it has done wrong. It needs us who work in the sports industry–whether Christian, Muslim or Jew–to show love, empathy and compassion.
“I expected Trump to be Trump. I did not expect us to be us.”
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) April 18, 2020
~Beth Moore on evangelicals.
P.S.: Thank you to everyone on the frontlines all over the world for dealing with COVID-19 whether you are doctors, nurses, store clerks, firemen, paramedics, police officers, farmers etc.! You are appreciated more than you will ever know, and hope other folks will take your lives seriously and follow your advice! #StayHomeSaveLives