The Green Hornet

I call him the Green Hornet. He is eight years old or younger in the "U8" soccer league that Faith and Joshua are playing in. I called him the Green Hornet because with his red shirt and red shorts he wore neon green knee high socks. He was on the opposing team yesterday for our last soccer game.

The Green Hornet was the best soccer player for this age group that I have ever seen. He literally scored at will. No matter where he was on the pitch he could take control of the ball and dribble it down the field through multiple defenders and strike the ball with such force for such a little guy and sail the ball through the goal. Every time... and I mean every time.

He scored about four or five goals within the first four or five minutes of the game. All in all he had about twelve goals. He was unstoppable!

A very interesting phenomenon began to happen after about the fourth goal. I was standing next to the Green Hornet's parents when all of a sudden they called out his name and told him to "hold back." Play back in the back of the field and just play defense was their plea. Pass the ball and don't score any more goals was their directive. The coach agreed and put the Green Hornet next to his own goalie.

The Green Hornet couldn't resist himself. He would get the ball right near his own goal and off he went!! Dribbling, dodging, dancing his way through defenders and decisively delivering the ball through the goal. He was poetry in motion. I couldn't help but think I was watching something special.

Over and over again the "reins" were put on him and he was told to back off and just play defense.

My iWitness...

Although it wasn't much fun for our team to be scored upon over and over, I was troubled in some respects by the Green Hornet being told to back off and slow down. Basically, he was being told, "Don't shine so bright!"

The Green Hornet wasn't boasting. He wasn't arrogant. He wasn't flaunting. The boy simply loved the game of soccer and he had a great passion for running up and down that field being in total command of the soccer ball with just his little feet and legs. He was amazing to watch.

Have you ever been told to tone it down?
Has your light ever shone "too brightly?"

I'm a bit perplexed by this.
God put a light inside of me.
Should I tone that light down so it doesn't cast too much of a shadow in a world full of weak flickering light bulbs?

I'm torn over this...
Jesus said, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5. 16)

I understand the role of good sportsmanship. I understand the role of not decimating an opponent and allowing your opponent to walk off the field of competition with some sort of self respect left in tact. I understand all of that and I appreciate that and those are rules I play by...

But there was a part of me yesterday that wanted to shout, "Go Green Hornet Go!!! Don't hold back! Run baby Run!!! Score and score and score again!!"

He was a pure joy to watch and I gave glory to God in heaven that He has equipped each of us with different gifts that allow all of us to shine bright!

Shine bright today my friends!
Don't let anyone tell you to tone it down because the light of God is shining too bright.
Pass out sunglasses if need be, but just keep shining!

And that's my iWitness...
Laugh often and fear not!
David!