Kobe Bryant: Death and Tragedy Can't Win

Each day we hear or read any number of declarative statements, and most of them are easy enough to accept or at least ignore. However, there are some pieces of information that our brains immediately reject as falsehoods, as imposters:


“2 + 2 = 5.”


Lies that are so atrocious, and so painfully inaccurate that the idea that someone would even repeat them fills us to our core with indignity and unbelief:


“The Earth is flat.”


Some things simply are not true. They can’t be true! If they were reality as we know it would be shattered:


“Kobe Bryant died.”


There’s no w- wait, what? That one is true?


“Kobe Bryant dead at 41.”


Indignity.


“Helicopter crash kills 9.”


Unbelief.


“Kobe is gone.”


Reality shattered.




I don’t have a whole lot to say, except that I’ve felt pain and sadness on a level that I didn’t know I could for someone I’ve never actually met. Kobe Bryant has been the most influential public figure in my young life. I want to cry every time I see a picture or video of him, especially those where he is smiling or talking about his future plans and his family. I feel a void in my life that I’m sure won’t be filled by anyone quite like Kobe ever again.


Mamba’s passing should serve as a reminder to all of us that tragedy can strike anytime and death is no respecter of persons. Kobe Bryant was the most invincible human being I can envision, and now he’s gone. We should hug our loved ones close everyday and live our lives to the fullest. We should follow our dreams and do the things that scare us, because we never know how long we have left to seize those opportunities. Kobe left us a legacy, and all of us can find inspiration in him to be better and do better at the things we love.




In parting, life is fragile, and terrible things can and do happen all the time. The good news is, even though hard to remember when we’re hurting, is that God sent His only begotten Son to make things right. We will all live again with perfect, resurrected bodies free of pain and suffering. Even on the worst days imaginable, hope and happiness lie ahead because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Death and tragedy will never win.