Qadree Ollison is a running back for the Atlanta Falcons, but that’s not what makes him special. He lost his older brother, Lerowne Harris, when he was shot dead at 35 by Denzel Lewis. The reason Ollison stands out is his response to the killer. “When I heard what happened, I was devastated like most would be. During that time, though, I didn’t feel an ounce of hate for whoever had done it.” Ollison revealed in his letter to Lewis that God provides him with the ability to forgive through tears. “Every single life is precious, no matter what they’ve done. I truly believe that God hand-crafted and molded each one of us and gave us this life. We are all his children. We are all sons, and we are all daughters. Now, here I am, and I have this choice to hate you or not. I choose not to.”

Judges 15-16 – Faithful

Ollison’s example of forgiveness over hatred and revenge toward his brother’s murder is how Samson should have responded to his wife’s father giving her to another man. Instead, he exacted revenge and killed one thousand Philistine men with the jawbone of a donkey. Later, Samson falls in love with a woman named Delilah, whom Philistine leaders bribed to uncover Samson’s strength secret so they can capture him. When she shaved off his braids, the Spirit left him, and he lost the true source of his power—God Himself.

While God was dishonored by Samson’s sinful behavior, he still honored the calling He had given Samson. God is faithful even when we are not. However weak and confused we might be: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).

The Kingdom Coach & Athlete never say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you” (Proverbs 20:22). They let God avenge so they don’t fall into sin themselves.

Bible Memory Verse – “But Ruth said, “Do not press me to forsake you in turning back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may Yahweh do to me, and more, if anything but death separates you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17 (LSB)