Favoritism

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritismbut accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. Acts 10:34-5

Today’s current events have caused me to reflect on my days of coaching.  Oftentimes, players would talk about who they believed were the coach’s favorites, and a coach’s consistent response was always, “I don’t have favorites.”  But in reality, a coach usually does have favorites. And, while I am not proud to admit it, I had favorites, too. When I consider why they were my favorites I realized it had nothing to do with those who were the best, the smartest, or the most popular, it was those players with whom I  had spent the most time; and, as an offensive coordinator, it was the wide-receivers, running backs, etc. When you spend time with someone you get to know them and see their heart, and as you do, your love for them grows. 

For Peter, his favorites are those with whom he could identify, which in this case is the Jews. In a vision, God tells Peter to visit Cornelius, a Gentile who is a centurion in the town of Caesarean.  Peter is puzzled by God’s directive because Gentiles are people who are not traditionally viewed as equals by the Jews, and it is against Jewish law to associate with Gentiles.  But Peter is obedient, and during his visit with Cornelius, who is described as a devout and God-fearing man, he learns that God does not show favoritism, but accepts all those who do His will. 

What Peter learns by following God’s will can be a lesson to us all. If we don’t follow God’s directive to go to those uncomfortable places where we haven’t gone before, then we will have favorites.  As a coach I could have worked harder to know the other players, because that’s the only thing that absolves favoritism. God wants us to develop relationships with all people, and begin to see their hearts and love them just as He does.

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