Life Is Good, Because of Who Saved Us!

February 26, 2026

Leadership Notes

     Is it okay to bask in a little reflected glory? I’m talking about the praise, admiration, or status we receive, not through our own actions, but through our association with a successful person, group, or entity. Reflected glory is a common thing. What parents haven’t boasted about a child’s academic honors as if they were their own? People wear their favorite team’s jersey. Celebrities and politicians are another huge draw for reflected glory.

     Beware of the fallout when there’s the inevitable mistake, false step, downfall, or very human expression of imperfection associated with that which we esteem. Failure or fault can be harsh realities. When putting  someone on a pedestal, if they disappoint or fail us, knocking them down can serve a deep-seated psychological purpose.

     The same thing goes for any type of “derangement syndrome.” It, too, serves a psychological purpose. It can be a mechanism for managing political anxiety, creating shared identity among like-minded individuals, and providing a cohesive focus for intense anger or fear regarding social and political changes. It does not reflect the best of human nature.

     As followers of Jesus Christ, Paul reminds us to be bearers of healthy fruit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control and gentleness. Those things comprise the best reflection of our changed nature. Reflected glory isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When impacted by our sinful nature, it can become a bad thing. It’s not a bad thing to be happy in the success of others. Are you with me on that?

     Which leads me to the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey team. All four players on the ice when the game-winning goal was scored in overtime are from Michigan. Not a bad deal, right? There’s a lot to love about our state. In a way, reading “The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” by John U. Bacon, carries a sense of an homage to our beloved state. There’s so much depth to it.

     I was struck by the joy and celebration of the men’s Olympic hockey team. There was heft on the ice and in the locker room. The F.B.I. director was sharing a beer with them. The President called…lots of smiles and happy words. It was a good and wonderful thing.

     Indirectly, the Bible commends being happy for others:

> 1 Corinthians 12:26 – “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”

> Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

> Romans 15:2 – “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”

> Philippians 2:4 – “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

All of those passages reflect lovely attitudes to have in life. God bless Michigan. And God bless the U.S. of A.

     But remember, when all is said and done:

“Deriving one’s sense of self, peace, and well-being from anything

other than the One who created us will eventually be a severe and

crushing letdown.”

That keeps things in proper perspective. Life is good, because of Who saved us!

     And now, your Moment of Spurgeon:

“The present age is so flippant that if a man loves the Savior he is

a fanatic and if he hates the powers of evil he’s a bigot.”

     With Much Love and Affection,

                  Richard