Lift Somebody Up
Word from Wiese
24 January 2024
Friends in faith,
If you don’t live in a cave and spend any amount of time watching news, football, comedy programming or any combination thereof, you’ve heard of the juiciest romantic relationship in the today’s universe. Taylor Swift dating Travis Kelce. In case you don’t know, Taylor’s not the typical girl next door. As the Time Magazine’s Person of the Year 2023, Taylor has sold 200 million records sold, been honored as the Global Recording Artist of the Year three times, is the highest-grossing female touring act, the most-streamed woman on Spotify and Apple Music, and the first billionaire with music as the main source of income. Taylor’s accolades include 12 Grammy Awards, 40 American Music Awards, 40 Billboard Music Awards, and 23 MTV Video Music Awards. . . . and will be leading contemporary worship for COS this fall. (Whoops. Everything you just read is true except that last phrase).
Compared to Taylor, Travis might seem like a slouch. Although he is a two-time Superbowl Champion, nine-time Pro Bowler, and a four-time first-team All-Pro selection. Travis is considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history for a slew of records he holds. I also like him because he grew up in Cleveland Heights, up the road from my first call in Medina, Ohio and played at University of Cincinnati, just down the road from my 14 years in Centerville, Ohio. Even if you don’t recognize his name you know his face because of ubiquity in TV commercials.
If you’ve ever watched a Kansas City Chiefs football game, for whom Travis plays, you’ve seen how fans go crazy to know if Taylor Swift is watching her boyfriend play from the luxury box assigned to all super-star players like Travis Kelce.
Enter Jason and Ella. Jason Kelce is Travis’ big brother. Although a fantastic NFL star in his own right, the center for the Philadelphia Eagles had been eliminated from the playoffs. So that’s why the good-loving Jason Kelce was shirtless in his brother’s luxury suite, maybe drinking a beer, and mixing it up with fans at the Chiefs-Buffalo game Sunday night.
Ella Piazza is an 8-year old girl who likes her hometown Buffalo Bills. But she LOVES Taylor Swift and so with a home-made sign made her way up toward the suite with high hopes. But what chance was there of a short little girl ever catching a glimpse of her life idol when Taylor Swift was tucked away safely and warmly in the back of the suite? Well, the chances skyrocketed when big, burly Jason—a father of daughters of his own—spots little Ella. He jumps out of the suite into the stands, swoops up little Ella into his arms, and motors up to the suite’s window. Lifting up Ella and her home-made sign, Taylor Swift is able to see little Ella and gives a special wave to the little girl, who simply can’t believe her good fortune! Jason turns to her parents, still holding Ella, for a photo or two with Ella beaming ear to ear.
“What Have You Done to Lift Somebody Up?” Our Second Sunday praise team periodically sings a song so titled. It’ s a super question for any human being but especially Jesus followers who are charged with serving and loving our neighbors. Jason Kelce had just been eliminated from the playoffs. In what is probably his final season, his professional goal of another championship was dashed. But instead of feeling sorry for himself, Jason kept his eyes and heart open for how he could—literally in this case—lift somebody up for a blessing.
You might not be a pro football player. You might not be the sibling of someone dating one of the most popular people in the universe. But YOU are connected somehow. How might you use your resources, connections, time or know-how to “lift somebody up” this week or month? Like Jason, are you willing to go out of your way just a bit to make a special moment or connection for somebody, even if you don’t know them well? Jason couldn’t help all the little girls in the stadium who would have loved to meet Taylor. But he could help that one. And so he did. You can’t help everybody, but you can help somebody.
So, my friends, may God guide you with open hearts and imaginations, to help lift somebody up this month! It will please God and make a lot of people smile . . . including you.
In Christ’s hope,
Pastor Fritz
Let us pray.
Dear God, thanks for lifting us up each day with your love and presence. Remind me that while I can’t help everybody today, I can help somebody. Guide me to a person who I can lift up a bit somehow. Help me see the possibility. And when I need a lift myself, help me accept the help when it’s offered. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
