The bright shiny light of the moon

Last night I saw Jupiter and Venus in the Western sky. They were each extraordinarily bright and close to one another. I love looking at the night sky because the vast universe becomes visible. Radiant stars that are millions of miles away can be seen by the naked eye. I like the reminder than I'm just a tiny, insignificant speck in God's creation. And He still knows my name. Humbling.

I was awe struck on Monday night, as well. I was in my car near Lake Superior and the moon seemed to be brighter than I had ever seen before. It was overcast and the clouds swirled around the bright shining moon and periodically it would break through the clouds and light up the night sky as if it was daylight. During those moments, I'm certain I could have driven without headlights. It was bright and the world's greatest optical illusion made the moon seem to be within driving distance. At approximately 250,000 miles away, it appeared closer than home.

I like to talk about the bright shiny light of the moon, except the moon actually doesn't give of any light of it's own at all. It's a giant rock. Instead, it reflects the light of the sun like a giant mirror. Without the sun, we'd never see the moon. Left to its own device, it would have a very small impact on our lives and we'd probably be unaware of its existence all together. It's the only natural satellite of the Earth and it's gravitational influence produces the ocean tides, however, that's hardly the stuff of ancient mythology, calendars, etc. The mystique of the moon comes from how bright it is in the night sky and the sole reason we're able to see it is because it reflects the sun's light.

I like how this idea of the moon can be applied directly to our lives. On our own, we're less than impressive. Sure, in our own little circle we might have clout, position or prestige, but in the grand scheme of things...we're about as bright and shiny as a rock. That is until we allow our lives to reflect the light of God. It is then that we actually make a difference and have an impact on humanity that can contribute to an eternity. When our lives become a reflection of God, people take notice. Others become fully aware of our existence. It doesn't happen because of who we are, though. I happens because of who God is and what He can do in us and through us. People might enjoy the extraordinary happenings in our lives and be impressed, but all credit is God's. He's the light and we're just a reflection.

Oh, and if you look to the Western sky tonight or tomorrow night, you'll see Jupiter and Venus reflecting the light of the Sun, too.

Let your light shine brightly because it's a reflection of who God is. God's character in our lives cannot be hidden.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-15

Be choosy about choosing

Last weekend I spent some time with my friend and colleague Shane Sparks. We rapped about how frustrated we get when wrestlers don't take advantage of the opportunity to make a choice. On our broadcast, we talked specifically about choosing to defer after the first period and choosing down because "that's just what you do." Together, we expressed our frustrations with this and are on a mission to get the word out. I suppose there are far more noble topics to bring to the masses, however, there is something profound here, too.

I travel around the state and talk to coaches about a variety of topics. Often times, I hear coaches explain how part of their purpose as a coach is to help athletes learn how to make decisions. It's a great outlook and I'm motivated to do the same. This is why I'm bothered so much by some of those same coaches missing on the potential teachable moments that come from choosing between periods.

In the sport of wrestling, between the first and second periods, one individual is given "choice." He can choose top, bottom, neutral (both on the feet) or defer the choice to his opponent and get choice in the third period. Between the second and third period, the other athlete has choice of top, bottom or neutral. You know the phrase, you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink, right? Well, if the horse is dying of thirst, it's nearly a guarantee that if you lead him to water, he will drink. It undermines the idea of it being a choice. Similarly, if you give an unsure-about-himself teenager the choice to let someone else choose for him, he likely will because he fears responsibility. So, he defers, naturally. Unfortunately, letting others make choices for you often comes with consequences - sometimes big, sometimes small. I'm all for deferring the choice to your opponent if it gives you a strategic advantage. I'm not in favor of deferring the choice by default, though. There isn't much in life that results in good after you defer (think: deferring on your taxes, etc.)

Empowering individuals to make wise choices has the potential to teach young men about responsibility and accountability. Avoiding responsibility (letting others choose for you) can prolong the development of becoming a man. I know, it sounds like I'm blowing everything out of proportion, and maybe I am. However, between periods is the only time in a wrestling that the official stops the action and asks the individual to make a choice...so choose wisely.

Within this same category is the unfortunate phenomenon of choosing "down" without carefully considering if it's the best choice. I try to engage coaches in this conversation and often times I hear responses like this: "you have to be able to get away if you're going to win," "he needs to learn to get away," "we always go down; to get our one," etc., etc. All of these statements lack logic. First of all, you don't have to be able to get away to win. That's just not true unless you're in the final overtime. If he needs to learn to get away, teach him in practice. And always going down is stubbornly stupid. Individuals are empowered in decision making when they see positive results from their choice. Why choose to put someone where they're not good or sure to fail? If your answer is because you always do, that's simply foolish.

As a coach, my responsibility to athletes should be about helping them manage their choices and eventually empowering them to choose wisely on their own. Shame on the coaches who fail to see the opportunity to teach their athletes about responsibility in this category. The impact of the shortsighted decisions they make on behalf of their athletes is appalling. Be choosy about choosing. Every time you have the opportunity to actually choose, no matter how big or small, choose wisely. Make educated and informed decisions.