Kicking Blair Walsh

“The encourager, no matter how dark the day, always brings a message of hope. Those who encourage…are in effect only beggars telling other beggars where to find help.”  Derek Bingham

  He’s one of the top ten kickers in the NFL. Though his record is 85.2% for completed field goals, though he’s made 121 out of 142 attempts, Blair Walsh of the Minnesota Vikings will always be remembered for missing one critical short field goal during the closing seconds of the Vikings-Seahawks NFC wild-card game. Ultimately, it cost the Vikings the game, with a loss of 10-9.

  No doubt, it was the worst day in Blair Walsh’s professional career. If the Vikings’ kicker checked his Twitter account that evening, here’s a sampling of the horrible messages sent to him: “How does it feel to let a whole entire state down in one day.” “Dude, you should leave Minnesota. Trust me. Every Vikings fan in the world now hates you.” “Thank you for destroying my soul.” “If you could swallow a gallon of bleach that’d be great.” And those were ones suitable for print. There were others threatening his life or encouraging him to commit suicide. How sad when so many think it’s okay to brutalize someone when they’re down.

  It was very heartwarming to learn of a class of first-graders at Northpoint Elementary School in Blaine, Minnesota. This group of kids reached out to Blair Walsh later that week after his missed field goal attempt. They wanted to let him know they understood the sadness he must be feeling. They drew pictures and wrote letters for their teacher to mail to him, affirming and encouraging him. Yes, they’re teacher encouraged the students to do it, yet these children got it – you don’t kick someone when they’re down. Wise are the words of Walter Winchell, “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”

  It’s always wonderful to see someone or a group do something kind, yet that’s to be normative for the believer. We are to be known for our kindness. A fruit of the Spirit is “kindness” (Galatians 5:22). But are we? Are we known for being kind? That’s a convicting question. If I’m honest, I have to confess I’ve been “culturized.” I’m not always known for being kind. Have you ever thought about this – why is it so easy to see what’s wrong and yet so difficult to notice what is right? 

  But it’s worse than that. I work, I struggle to encourage and affirm, to see what’s right. Yet, it’s tempting to see and point out what’s wrong. During the 2015 season, Blair Walsh made 121 out of 142 field goal attempts, an 85.2% success rate. But what will he be known for? What will be remembered for?

  Did you know the word “encourage” is used 32 times in the ESV (English Standard Version) Bible? While the word “discourage” is used a mere 6 times. Encourage is used over five times more than discourage, yet what’s the proportion of words which come out of our mouths. Encouragement or discouragement? What do we notice more? What’s wrong or what’s right? What do we talk about? 

  Do we encourage our spouses, our children with what they do right? What about our brothers and sisters in Christ? Then, what do we contemplate on? What bothers us? What’s wrong…or what we’re thankful for, for what’s right? Isn’t thinking about what’s right commanded, not merely suggested, in Philippians 4:8 – “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

  The reason too many of us have a habitual scowl or just an unhappy look, is because of what we’re eating mentally. And it in turn, eats us.

  Please understand, I’m a fellow struggler, but by God’s grace, I’m growing. I did this years ago and I’ve started it again. I’ve begun keeping a “Praise Journal.” Each day I try to write down things I’m thankful for. It’s not long. Maybe a sentence or two. Yet, the impact on the outlook of my life is amazing!

  Let me add another important piece to this. Blair Walsh just made a mistake, a misjudgment. There was no moral dimension. How do we handle it though when someone blows it spiritually, morally? What’s our attitude? Are we judgmental? Condemning? Or, are we gracious and merciful? What if it’s a leader, particularly a spiritual leader?

  A decade ago when then megachurch pastor, Ted Haggard, had to resign under a moral cloud, a ministry colleague remarked to me, “Where does a pastor go when he blows it? Where does a pastor go for help?” It’s a good question. Please understand, I’m not suggesting we rationalize sin or moral failure away or even close our eyes to sin. Personally, I believe a believer, even a spiritual leader, is capable of any sin (1 Corinthians 10:12). 

  Yet, when someone falls, we must demonstrate the same grace God has shown to us, even to those who are in a spiritual leadership position. Isn’t that what the Lord did with King David the adulterer/murderer and Peter the Jesus denier? As there is no limit to God’s grace and forgiveness, there must not be any limit to ours. 

  When I encounter those situations, I often don’t know how to respond or what to do. I certainly don’t know what to say. Usually, it’s because I’m not personally involved in the situation. I don’t know who’s right or wrong, or the details…nor do I want to know the details. Yet, I can always pray. I can also drop a note of encouragement. I might mention how the individual has been a blessing. It doesn’t have to say much other than, “I’m praying for you!” Because while I don’t know the details, my Father does…and He already knows how He is going to fix it. And I want to be part of restoring and helping others, I want to be part of extending God’s grace, particularly to those who are at the lowest points of life.

  We must tattoo on our souls that there is not an act of evil that Jesus’ cross did not pay for. His death and grace are sufficient for even the vilest sin. And I want to be part of encouraging those who are in the bottom of the pit to turn to the One who set their feet back on the Rock, who can always heal and give hope. 

  Perhaps you know someone who’s blown it, or perhaps they’re just going through some deep waters. Be an encourager. I’ll never forget my mentor, Dr. David L. Cummins telling me, “Scott, I have never regretted being too kind.” Neither have I. May we, the people of grace, be most known for being the most gracious…for being Jesus even to those who have hit rock bottom. We have “a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). His name is Jesus. Let’s be Jesus for others. 

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