“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,

but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”       PR 10:9

I was raised a Yankee fan. I remember watching Mickey Mantle play. The four boys in my family were all Yankee fans, though my parents rooted for Boston. Our family survived the rivalry : ) In my adult life I haven’t cared much, though I am aware whether they have a good season or not.

Nowadays, sports stars typically make the news for the wrong reasons. Few handle the spotlight well. They live in excess. They often have run-ins with the law, and sport after sport has been tainted with illegal use of drugs. Recently, the beating of wives and abuse of children has embroiled the NFL in controversy. In these darkest days of professional sport, Derek Jeter played his last year as a Yankee being honored with accolades and gifts at every turn. In this age of moral chaos, even skepticism about the very definitions of right and wrong, even the world is standing up and recognizing that a life has been lived well. Though he wasn’t the greatest player to ever play, he is being hailed as one who lived above reproach, who gave 100% for every game, who always put his teammates above himself, and seemed to do it without the slightest cockiness. In fact, his image conjures up a man with a cap, and a smile.

Turns out the world is still looking for a hero. Not just one who can jump the highest, run the fastest, or plaster every opponent on the matt. Jeter is being honored for WHO he is more than for WHAT he has done.

Beloved, the world IS watching. Your disciples and friends ARE watching. Your teammates and colleagues WILL follow excellence. Most importantly, God knows those who have served well; honor and accolades await those who walk in their integrity. Thanks, Derek, for the reminder that even in this day of gross darkness in the earth, that there is still great value in being good.