It’s all over the news. America’s best athlete of the century
was a cheater. Not only did he skirt the rules, he methodically developed ways
to avoid detection. He brought in others as dupes, and implicated an entire
team.
He shamed the sport. He shamed his nation. Now, the Olympic
committee is pondering whether to pull bicycling as an Olympic sport.
It’s a national
tragedy.
I’m not a cycling fan. In fact I kind of laugh at those who
wear skin tight pants emblazoned with company logos. But I am a fan of humans
who overcome. I think that everyone has a story to live, no matter how bad it
looks right now.
The deception of Armstrong isn’t just him using drugs to
enhance his performance. He sucked millions of dollars from sponsors, stood on
hundreds of stages receiving accolades, and called his accusers liars.
Oprah can’t save him. But Jesus can.
The problem with my disdain for all of this is that I am Lance Armstrong.
In my past, I lived that lie. And not just a single lie, but
a series of deceptions meant to prop myself, to endear sympathy, and to provoke
emotional support. Winning was more important than telling the truth. My sins are no less
terrible than Lance’s. His shame is no less than mine.
The truth will find
you out.
But I beat Lance Armstrong in the race to truth. I began to
sort out the lies in my life a few years ago. I patched together relationships,
began to tell God the truth, and could finally look at myself in the mirror
again.
This will be his final -- and most important -- victory.
Please, share with a friend if you feel moved.
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