Raheem, Racism and Renewal

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Renewed in Spirit

Welcome to “Athlos” a weekly Wednesday blog which replaces my previous Tuesday posts. These blogs will continue to examine pillars of personal excellence and will regularly bring together the worlds of spirituality and sport.

Renewed in Spirit

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me!”-Psalm 51:10

Renewed in Thought

“Of all things, a gun?!” When English football star, Raheem Sterling, was seen to have placed a tattoo of an assault rifle on his leg, it created no shortage of uproar. As we humans often do, we judge others without knowing the facts.

Sterling, Jamaican by birth, suffered tragedy from a young age, with his father being shot dead in Kingston when he was only two years old. He would later resolve in his heart and mind that he would never touch a gun. A detailed BBC report noted him as stating, with double meaning: “I shoot with my right foot.” Hence the tattoo.

Raheem renewed his way of thinking in the face of tragedy. He learned how to motivated by tough times so that his future would not be crippled by his past. Confronting racist remarks in later years as a black footballer, Sterling has also taken this renewed mindsight into his life as a professional whether playing for Manchester City or on national duty with England.  

A transformed mind can work wonders. How do you respond to mistreatment or unfair accusations? If you’re anything like me, your ego can get in the way and blind you from the opportunity to show grace, maturity and class even when treated unfairly.

In Psalm 51 above, King David had to learn the power of a renewed heart and spirit, as he acknowledged his sin and ultimate unfaithfulness to God. Although his hardships were largely self-imposed in this scenario, he still needed to bounce back. He did and is known in Scripture as a man after God’s own heart. Divine compliments do not get much better than that.

Renewed Hope

Recognize that your future could be full of hope, if you renew your outlook on the past.

If you were inspired by this blog, please consider sharing it with one other person today. To learn more about these and other related themes that promote the cultivation of an integrated inner self, read UNBEATABLE! which is now available on Amazon in print and as an e-book.

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Michelle

    Without history, it is easy to form an opinion about a person. I have done it to many myself, and have felt the same pre-judged mentality from others. Perspective and knowledge help to change things and allow deeper digging to have the mature mindset required in dealing with everyone an individual encounters.

  2. J.Tyrone Marcus

    This is a great contribution, Michelle. Thank you.

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