No, this is not about the Bible.
Other areas of life can apply to Christianity in less subtle ways.
Like, sports. (People seem to like sports analogies)
So, how about this?
Some Ohio sports teams are reaching the pinnacle of what they do, and there are reasons for it are worth exploring a little more.
For instance, when you hear the names "LeBron James" or "Urban Meyer" what is one word that comes to mind? How about
Although it is not the game itself that piques interest on this blog, sports are about much more than a game. It is this "much more" than these posts discuss and search.
(And, yes, we know LeBron James did not win an N.B.A. title this year, but he has before. Also, an Eastern Conference title is impressive without two of your star players in much of the playoffs).
The point is that what drives a person to be a sports champion likely has a spiritual component along the way.(Or a movie star, like LeBron James).
Native Northeast Ohioans LeBron James and Urban Meyer were both elevated to champions in Florida at what they do best.
And, although they reached pinnacles of their professions, they both found it important - and part of who they are - to go back to where they came from.
James found the summit of fame in Florida with Miami Heat basketball, and Meyer found fame with Florida Gators football.
Both reached heights at what they do in glamorous places, but they brought their stories and their determination back to northeast Ohio, where they are originally from. These acts inspire others. These acts show drive and class, in a society where these things are short.
They both speak of their returns publicly, and about what northeast Ohio means to them.
As someone in Cleveland, Ohio knows firsthand, these are role models who are watched and noticed.
This post looks at similarities in what drives these two legends, and how they were motivated and shaped deep down by where they are from.
LeBron James - Akron, Ohio native
He is, of course, a superstar player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, after a four year stint with the Miami Heat. Most people know he won two N.B.A. titles in Miami, which was his goal in going there.
James has spoken of his origins frequently in the media, underlining what it meant to him to bring his game back to hardnosed northeast Ohio.
His most famous recent media frenzy was the once-secret Nike commercial, where James declared,
"what we do as Cavalier players is for the city of Cleveland."
He insisted the team plays hard night in and night out, not only for themselves but for the fans and the people of Cleveland.
This can be a key component to success in your life.The gist of it was hard work. In other words, you earn what you get in northeast Ohio - nothing is given to you. This core belief is part of his character and of who he is as a person. He did not forget that, even with fame, wealth and glory.
James is also known to be in attendance at Cleveland Browns games and Ohio State games, showing his support. His 30 year old self now knows that giving part of yourself to others is part of a mature, fulfilled human.
In fact, when his career is over, his legacy might involve more than just his statistics as a player. Those are impressive enough, but he brings more to where he is. His knowledge of the game, motivational skills, ability to make people feel worth and his decision to come home also speak volumes. (Also, remember he took a pay cut to go to Miami. That is something almost unheard of in this day and age).
He doesn't stop with being a role model on the court. He gives back to the community that shaped him partly by way of the LeBron James Family Foundation, which helps those In Akron and surrounding areas in fundamental areas of life. His recent contribution to the "I Promise" campaign, paying the way for 1,100 members to go to college, is significant.
His coach, David Blatt said James is the closest thing to Superman a human could reasonably get.
Where did he get this drive and ambition? He attributes part of it to growing up without a father. He claimed his inspiration came to be a better father to his kids, and a better example. Signs of that are flourishing now. But, as stated in these posts before, sometimes what looks bad at the time can change and be used for good in the long term.
As someone in Cleveland the feeling is that his presence goes well beyond just the game of basketball to teaching principles of life: fighting and sacrificing for something bigger than yourself, passion, overcoming adversity, working for what you get, being in life together, etc. - All in.
He remembers where he came from ("I'm just a kid from Akron"), and that is something often missing in today's culture.
Urban Meyer - Ashtabula, Ohio native
He is, of course, the head coach of Ohio State football, after a six year stint with the Florida Gators. He won two national titles in Florida, and one at Ohio State.
Urban Meyer has also spoken of northeast Ohio several times, including a time he gave a pep talk to LeBron James' Cavaliers team before a game against the Chicago Bulls.
At a Cleveland Cavaliers game he cheerfully announced to the crowd in attendance,
" It is an honor to bring the Big Ten, Sugar Bowl and National Championship trophies back to northeast Ohio."
This from Meyer, who proclaimed himself to be a lifelong Cavaliers fan. (Remember he lived in Florida, near where the Orlando Magic play and teams are known to win titles).
Meyer often mentions his Ashtabula upbringing in giving credit to where his drive came from to succeed. He said he was forced to learn "the toughness, the blue collar work ethic, which Ashtabula, Ohio is."
Like LeBron James, he credits a lot of his life values to strictness. It his case, he attributes much of it to his father, Bud Meyer. Doing it the right way became the priority that stick with him through his later years.
He helps give back to the community by way of a free camp for the youth, where they can learn and practice fundamental skills. He knows he is a role model there, teaching young kids principles to help them succeed in life.
And, just like LeBron James has been seen at Ohio State football games, Urban Meyer also shows his Ohio support by proudly appearing at Cleveland Cavaliers games, along with the "Hang On Sloopy" song.
And, like LeBron James, the passion of Urban Meyer goes beyond a game. For example, he directs his players to go to job fairs, realizing their mission is football, but knowing that doesn't always last forever. He also has had his players got to Bible study in the past.
Sports can teach life-long lessons.
These champions embody what many are trying to achieve. No wonder then wide receiver coach Urban Meyer offered a football scholarship to LeBron James at Notre Dame. One can inwardly detect a level of ambition in another.
Florida To Ohio
What they have in common is they reached an important point in their lives to do some soul searching. LeBron James was about to turn 30 and Urban Meyer had resigned from coaching football for health reasons.
They were different reasons, but they both knew they were entering a new phase of their lives and they wanted to do something significant. Significant for the people who are from where they are from.
They both could have stayed in Florida and lived good lives many would envy. Isn't that where most Ohioans would want to go if they had a choice?
But they were left to examine the priorities in their lives and what was really important to them. (Age and health have ways of doing that to someone).
What did they conclude from their examinations?
The palm trees and warmth of Florida were nice to call home for a while, but they did not represent the core of what these two were made of - and they knew it. What is in the soul is stronger.
Character won over the superficial, and they came back to the cold north to try to help win titles for Ohio teams; character.This is because their Ohio upbringing was a large part of the "core" of who they were.
They still had something to accomplish, but for different reasons.
One has succeeded already, and the other one is closer than many Clevelanders imagined, by building the pieces necessary and molding them.
So, if you want to shine like LeBron James (or Urban Meyer), look for the core values you are about. If you align with his, you might be on your way to better things.
They are the champions.
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