Armstrong’s legacy proves Bible right

Psalms 118:8 (King James Version) reads “It is better to put trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man.” Last week, the world’s best cyclist admitted to using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) to help him win the cycling top prize, seven Tour de France titles, after overcoming a battle with cancer.  A story that Hollywood couldn’t script any better, was too good to be true. Now that Armstrong has confessed to over a decade worth of lies, his legacy is ruins.

Armstrong wasn’t just an idol on the bike, but also in the communities. After winning his fight with cancer, going back to the bike and setting a record in titles earned, all cancer survivors viewed their illness differently. They felt if Armstrong could do, so can I. For that, I applaud Armstrong for being a giver a hope, but where does he get the idea that he can be the giver of hope? He is not Christ, himself. We always like to hear success stories because they do inspire us that we can achieve, but we must not put confidence in man rather keep our trust in the Lord. I feel sorry for those who have looked up to a man who never once thought about the impact it could on them. He only saw himself – winning.

It was selfish of Armstrong to lie the way he did. The money he raised for extensive cancer research is phenomenal and Armstrong is a humanitarian for that, regardless of what his legacy has come to be. It’s hard to crucify him completely, because his lie served for the better. However it is not okay to lie. Despite of the good he’s done, he remains selfish and a liar in my book. Why? Because he tried to get away with cheating by doing good too. To me this was his mindset: “I’ll cheat, cover it up but at the same time with the earnings that I stole, I’ll use it to help fund cancer research. When or if I get caught, they can’t get too mad at me because of the good I’ve done.”

The money he’s made off of the Livestrong bracelets that everybody wore – whether cancer victim or not – is nonrefundable. Yes, I’m sure the money raised off the bracelets went to cancer research, but the endorsements he received were worth a whole lot more.

It’s not just about the money though. It’s about Armstrong lying to be one thing and people believing him. He’s ruined lives and dreams. For some who thought because he did it I can do, can no longer think that. That’s why a verse like Psalms 118:8 is so powerfully true. And even more of a reason for us to look at verses like Psalms 121:2 or Philippians 4:13 which reads, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Blessings