Sad Valley

"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." Proverbs 17:9

That was the Proverb this morning for my men's LIFE Group that meets at the Grayson Olde Post Cafe at 7 a.m. on Thursdays (shameless plug - all men, you're invited!). I couldn't help but think of the events this week in Happy Valley. Now, I'm a pretty huge college football fan. One of my first memories of watching a college football game on TV was the Georgia vs. Penn State National Championship game in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 1983. I was almost 6 years old. Joe Paterno won his first national title as the Nittany Lions beat my Dawgs. I'm still not quite over that one. But, I've at least respected how Paterno led his program over the years. Penn State had been an example of doing things the right way for years in college footbal. You have ot know that to understand the backdrop to the story. You might not be a college football fan, but you'd have to be living under a rock to not be aware of the situation at Penn State University and their football program. In short, a former assistant coach was a known child molester and was allowed continued access to the football facility with young boys and, at worst, school officials, including legendary coach, Joe Paterno, helped cover it up through the years, or, at best, certainly didn't do enough to end the terror on these young children and get this man behind bars. I've kind of been gathering my thoughts on it. This Proverb opened it up for me.

Generally, we get most upset when we are offended. We lash out at family or cashiers that offend us. We struggle to cover over offenses in instances in which we are hurt, harmed, offended, or insulted. The Bible says these are the times we should forgive. These are the times we should drop the matter. These are the times we should give grace. Grudges don't help anyone. However, we overlook offenses against others. We turn a blind eye when the poor are marginalized, when ethnic groups (that aren't ours) are offended, or when the vulnerable are taken advantage of. That is because coming to the defense of the weak may cost us relationships, pride, standing in the community, and time and energy we're not sure we have. We often trend the wrong direction. We are quick to respond when we are offended, and look the other way when the weak are. The Bible says that we have this all wrong and backwards. We are to give grace when we are offended, but we are to stand up for the weak and disinfranchised of the world. When someone's actions hurt us, we alone have the power and place to forgive that and move on, and we should. However, when someone's actions harm others, the community, and the organization, we have a moral and Scriptural obligation to do something about it. At it's core, that's what is wrong with the situation in State College, Pennsylvania. Those in authority at Penn State were not willing to risk relationships, jobs, and status for the sake of the weak. And that's how someone that was once a hero becomes a legend no more. And that makes me sad. Sad for our world. Sad for those boys that were victimized. And sad for every Penn State player and fan that are good people. You and I will probably never face a situation like that in our lives. I hope you don't. But there will be times when we are called to NOT cover over an offense against the weak and helpless. Let us stand up for those whom God has called us to defend when the time comes.