“I woke up around eleven, I watched television and then I had some nuggets for lunch. I went back to my room, I slept for two hours, then I went back for some more nuggets…”
Sounds like a good day to me!
However these aren’t the words of someone on their summer holiday or having a nice chilled out day with nothing special to do.
They’re the words of the fastest man on the planet, Usain Bolt describing the day he smashed the 100 metres world record at the Beijing Olympics.
He then went on to win a total of three golds and three world records – but what really gob-smacked the world was the way in which he won them. Having broken away from the crowd, he began to slow down with 15-20 metres still to run, slapping his chest in victory!
Some people thought he was arrogant. Here’s what Olympic medalist Kriss Akabusi had to say…
“As the world went crazy…I stared at my television with annoyance… it was too much showman and not enough sportsman”.
So what do you reckon? Is he arrogant? Are his critics right? I looked up arrogant in the dictionary and this is the definition I found:
“Arrogant – adjective: Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.”
Does that describe Usain Bolt? Well, he is the olympic gold winner, world record holder, and fastest human being ever recorded. Slapping his chest and saying he’s number one isn’t exaggerating his abilities, it’s simply acknowledging them!
Now sometimes people call God arrogant too. They hear the message of the Bible telling them to live for God, put him first, give him praise and thanks and they think… “Why should I?”
Fair question to ask isn’t it? “Who does he think he is? How arrogant can you get? If there is a God, he seems like a bit of an ego maniac!” The Bible records these words of God.
“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” (Isaiah 40v25)
So is God arrogant? Does he have an exaggerated sense of his own importance?
The Bible says no. Listen to this… “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Rev 4v11
The Bible says that God isn't arrogant expecting our praise – it says he’s worth it. He is worthy to receive glory, honour and power. Why? Because he created all things (including Usain Bolt). We owe everything to him.
The Bible says when it comes to God we should give credit where it's due.
Usain Bolt – arrogant or amazing? I reckon he’s amazing! What about God – do you think he deserves our praise?