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Monday, October 22, 2012

Lance...really LiveStrong!!

So, the Lance firestorm seemingly has begun to reach its vertex. Yes, I’ve joined in on the discussions. We’ve talked about the arrogance & lack of accountability for doping control bodies (WADA, USADA, etc.). Discussed Lance’s obvious culpability and everyone else’s in the peleton at that point in history. How overconfident Lance has been and assured of his invincibility in the matter. Yet one conversation hasn’t taken place and in the eyes of the most essential viewpoint, it’s the most important.

I still remember listening to Lance’s first book (audio version) as I drove home with Arturo Kinch from a ski training camp in our Olympic preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympics. As we heard Lance’s story two things really struck me. The first was how incredible it was that he survived. Doctors only gave him a 4% chance of living. Of course we all know the story how he not only survived, but went on to win the world’s most physically challenging sporting contest....Le Tour, multiple times. The other thing that really struck me was how prideful and impervious Lance was to God’s good graciousness to him.

Lance’s story is a true hard luck to world conquerer tale. Yet along the way God gave him opportunities to submit to his creator, but in each instance-especially coming that close to death and given a second chance, Lance seemed to reject God’s touch in his life. There never seemed to be gratefulness for these moments or gratitude for being granted another opportunity at life. Even Lance’s foundation (that he’s no longer officially a part of due to the fall out), "LiveStrong" exudes feelings of independence and self reliance.

What could have been or will be the best possible outcome of all this? That he won’t be stripped of his 7 Tour victories (happened today)? That he won’t be required to return his Olympic medal or the millions of prize money earnings and sponsorship dollars? That the court of public opinion will still validate this once amazing hero? In my estimation none of these can compare to what God’s good plan could very well be for Lance...the breaking of his pride and finally humbly submitting to God.

Yes, all this could be the very best thing that ever happened to Lance Armstrong. God, in his goodness, knows that this is the only way to break through Lance Armstrong’s bulletproof pride. Of course, Jesus said it best when he stated, "what does it profit a man to gain the world but forfeit his soul?" 7 tour wins, amassing a worldly fortune and the adulation of millions doesn’t mean a thing when you stand before God on the day of judgement.

So right now I could easily imagine Lance shaking his fist at God and saying, "Why are you doing this to me?!!" God’s answer, "because I love you with an infinite love and I infinitely care about you and your soul...and that you’ll be all you can be and enter into my Kingdom."

Let’s pray for Lance, that he won’t burn up this most clear chance to reconcile with God.