So, today marked the last home game for Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. I admit, I got emotional when he gave his parting speech, and while the whole speech was worth repeating, one thing really stood out. He told everyone that, when he started, there were some hiccups, but the team, the coaches, and the owners stood by him. He asked everyone to give the new manager the same courtesy.

 

 

Considering the managerial fiascoes that have plagued several other English clubs, his words really bear repeating; over and over. The point is, nobody can do this life alone, and when we expect miracles from mere mortals then those mortals are bound to fail.

 

A recent incident regarding the vocalist for the metalcore band As I Lay Dying comes to mind. He has been charged in a murder-for-hire plot. In this country, by default, all people are (supposed to be) considered innocent until proven guilty. In this guy's case, the people in the metal community have already convicted him and they're basically doing so because he is a professed Christian. That's right, because he's a self-proclaimed Christian, he is not given the benefit of the doubt, and even if he were, the anti-Christian element immediately latches onto the the fact that he's Christian. Apparently, because he's a Christian, he must be perfect, and if he is somehow not perfect then it's the fault of Christianity.

 

For some reason, we're convinced that others should be more perfect than we are, we forget that NOBODY is perfect and we can't base our beliefs and understanding on the failure of human nature. All humans are imperfect, regardless of their religious or political affiliation!

 

As Medwyn said, in The Book of Three, "Neither refuse to give help when it is needed...nor refuse to accept it when it is offered." He then went on to say, "I have studied the race of men...I have seen that alone you stand as weak reeds by a lake. You must learn to help yourselves, that is true; but you must also learn to help one another." It can be hard to accept help; even harder to ask for it. Too often we get caught up in the idea that asking for or accepting help is a sign of weakness, not understanding that the real weakness is believing we can do it all by ourselves.

 

Trying to go it alone out of either fear or narcissism is sure to result in unnecessary pain; and not just for you, but also for those around you. A true plea for help should never go unheeded, but beware the temptation to use and/or abuse people! Sooner or later everyone pays the Piper and those who go through life thinking they can use and abuse people will have a rude awakening when their sins come home to roost.

 

But running away from, or ignoring a problem isn't going to solve the problem. It's like having cancer; you can pretend you don't have cancer, but that doesn't mean you don't have it, and pretending you don't have it doesn't make it go away. In fact, it does quite the opposite! It gives Joe Cancer an opportunity to contact all his little cancer buddies and set up a massive party. Running from your problems doesn't make you look cool, it makes you look like a foolish coward.

 

When you need help, ask for it. Those who truly care for you will come to your aid. But if you are tempted to ignore a plea for help, then don't expect others to come rushing to your aid when it's you who is asking. What comes around goes around and you will receive that which you send out.

 

Matthew 5:44