Do you read the True Hoop blog by Henry Abbot? Keeping up with the NBA is my one hobby. Okay, that’s not exactly true. Keeping up with the Blazers who, by the way, have the first pick in this year’s spectacular draft, is actually my hobby. Henry Abbot happens to be a rabid Blazers’ fan and a blogger at ESPN.

Today, Abbot wrote a post about whether LeBron James — 22-year old basketball superstar — should sign a letter rebuking China, host of the 2008 Olympic Games, for financially supporting Sudan (Darfur being in the Sudan). Here’s what I found amazing. After doing a bit of research, Abbot realized that while it might not make sense for LeBron to sign the letter, the 22 year-old could really make a difference:

Here’s my suggestion: LeBron James can be more than an activist here. He can be an executive. (Sign the letter or not — I don’t know. The wording is sufficiently vague, even if the intent seems to be shaming the Chinese and solving the problem with peacekeepers.) If he hasn’t already, he should pick up the phone. James has the best possible contacts at Nike. Nike has the best possible contacts in China. Couldn’t hurt for James to send word down the pipeline that he’d really like to see meaningful progress towards long-term peace in Darfur over the next year. That way, when the attention of the world is on James in Beijing next summer, James can congratulate everyone on their progress, instead of prodding them to do better.

So, here’s the deal. Genocide in Darfur and a 22-year basketball player is looked to make progress. What role do Christians have? What role does the church have? We live in a world where athletes have influence. I understand that. I long for the day when Christians make a difference. Some are.

Posted in Current Events |