Blade Runner Elevated

UPDATE, February, 2013: How terribly, terribly sad. We cannot know what is or was in Oscar Pistorius’ heart in relation to shooting his girlfriend, but we do know that Satan loves to do two things: 1) lead believers into sin and, 2) put false believers into the spotlight. The objective of each is to stain the glorious name of Jesus Christ. Whatever transpired, and wherever Pistorius was in regards to faith, it remains true that Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient for anyone who will turn to him in sorrow, confession and humble repentance and trust him with his life.

UPDATE, August 4th: He’s made it to the Olympic semi-final! (story & video)

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I do not run like a man running aimlessly;
I do not fight like a man beating the air.
No, I beat my body and make it my slave
so that after I have preached to others,
I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
(1st Corinthians 9:26-27, NIV)

Jul 4, 8:43 AM, EDT,
JOHANNESBURG (AP) – Double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius is going to the London Olympics after being selected for South Africa’s 1,600-meter relay team. Pistorius is set to become the first amputee track athlete to compete at the games after South Africa’s Olympic committee picked him Wednesday… “Today is really on of the happiest days of my life! Will be in (at) London2012 for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games!” the multiple Paralympic champion said on Twitter. “Thank you to everyone that has made me the athlete I am! God, family and friends, my competitors and supporters! You have all had a hand!”

Here’s a picture of the tattoo on his back (H/T: Rollingstonestoday):

‘Enabled Not Disabled’ (June 9, 2012): “God is the most important person in the world to me. If I’m on the right patch spiritually, it helps with everything else.” [Pistorius] grew up in a Christian home, and accepted Christ as His savior “more or less before I could remember.” Asked why he needs Christ in his life, he says: “Because He is the reason for my success and the one that takes me from strength to strength. Christ makes all the difference. He aids me in my struggles and makes my glories that much greater.”

From a ‘Tweet’ on his website, 11:11AM, EDT today:

“Feel really blessed today! Thank you to everyone for the supportive message! Got me trending worldwide! I’m so humbled!

For such a time as this… wow. Praise God. May He use this man mightily on the world stage. May He steer him clear of temptation and shine His light through him.

Re. setbacks and hardships: “I believe everything happens for a reason…” –

UPDATE I: The name Oscar likely means ‘deer lover’ (from Gaelic).

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
(Psalm 118:33)

See also, Isaiah 35, under the heading ‘The Ransomed Shall Return’ in the ESV:

1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; 2 it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer [!!!], and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 8 And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

UPDATE II: The film ‘Blade Runner’ (directed by Ridley Scott, starring Harrison Ford) was released almost exactly thirty years ago (June 25th, 1982 – more than four years before Pistorius was born). The plot revolves around a quest to find and ‘terminate’ four individuals (‘replicants’) who had “returned to earth seeking their maker“.

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