Earlier this month, Ingrid Williams was killed when her car was struck head-on by another car that lost control and crossed the center divider. Ingrid Williams is survived by her five children and her husband.
Ingrid’s husband happens to be Monty Williams, the former head coach of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans and current assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder. This tragedy swept across the NBA as players and coaches all around the association offered their condolences to Williams.
Last Thursday friends, family and many NBA stars gathered in Oklahoma City for Ingrid’s memorial service. As I watched the clip below, I was amazed to see so many players and coaches in attendance, some of whom had games that evening thousands of miles away. Their commitment to be at the service goes to show how highly they all regard Williams.
After watching Williams’ moving eulogy, I now hold him in high regard as well.
That speech is an example of Matthew 10:23, which says
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”
In a room full of his peers, Williams declared the name of Jesus. Jesus’ name was elevated and glorified in that place. The hope we have in Jesus shined through Williams’ words and filled that auditorium with Jesus’ love. Williams gave an amazing eulogy that both honored his wife and his savior. It was beautiful.
As beautiful as Williams’ words were, I was disappointed in how the media chose to cover the service. Instead of sharing the entire eulogy, most media outlets shared the final minutes where Williams says that he’s forgiven those who caused the accident. Those outlets rightly praised Williams for his ability to forgive, but missed out on the love of a savior that makes forgiveness like that possible.
Our society really does crave biblical virtues and values. In that moment, when he could have hardened his heart and no one would have thought anything of it, Williams chose to forgive. Our society celebrates that kind of forgiveness, but doesn’t want to look at its ultimate source. Our society likes the end result, but doesn’t want to walk the narrow path of Jesus.
The media’s representation does nothing to limit the power of Williams’ words and the example he set. I can only hope when I face a tragedy in my life that I approach it with the same faith, love and trust as Monty Williams.
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