There were few things I loved more in life as I was growing up as the game of basketball. As a native born Hoosier, it was borderline mandatory when I was young. I believed eighth grade was going to be my year. I had finally hit a reasonable growth spurt and, standing a massive 5’ 4,” I was at least approaching the average height for a young man of my age. I had worked with the coach throughout the previous off-season, and was confident that I was poised for a breakout season. As the season began, I took my place in the starting line-up and my dreams were becoming reality.
One Wednesday night, while playing soccer in our church gymnasium in my socks, I slid into a wall and injured my back. We scheduled an appointment with the chiropractor for the next day. As soon as I walked through the door he said, “Wow! What have you done to yourself?” Without even taking an x-ray he could tell that I had compressed the entire left side of my body. I was noticeably shorter on my left side than on my right and had pinched nerves in my lower back. My season was over.
After several visits with the chiropractor, I was cleared to play for the last game of the season. It did not go well. I missed every shot and made better passes to opponents than to teammates. Once again, I assumed my position at the end of the bench. As the game drew to a close, the coach sent all of the eighth graders in to close it out. We were down by one, but we had the ball under our basket. He drew up the play that would decide the game. I was the last option on the court. Apparently, the other team agreed with the coach and left me unguarded. Upon realizing that I was the only available option, my teammate closed his eyes, turned his head, and reluctantly passed the ball to me. Without a second thought, I let it fly. It was the only shot I hit the whole game, but it was the one that decided the outcome.
The next day at school, a friend’s parent brought me a little two inch square clipping from the local paper. The headline read, “MYERS LIFTS EAGLES TO VICTORY WITH FINAL SHOT.” I immediately took the clipping to the office, made copies and then proceeded to spread the news all over school. I had to share the good news. It was too good to keep to myself.
Good news should be shared. As followers of Jesus we have the best news ever. The word gospel literally means good news. It isn’t a passive word, though. It’s actually an action word. It means the reward of carrying the good news. The Bible tells us that God loves us so much that though we had rebelled against and refused Him, He died for us. He took the penalty for our faults and failures, in order that we might find forgiveness. He was broken, in order that we might be restored. He was rejected, that we might be accepted. This is good news! It is news that changed my life and continues to drive who I am becoming. It is news that is worth sharing.
In several places in the gospels, Jesus tells His followers to take His good news into all the world. He encourages them to tell others of what He’s done for them and to offer them the same gift of grace. It’s good news all followers of Jesus are called to share. Silence is not an option. Some news is just too good to keep to yourself!
