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You, Me, and Michael (Vick)

I have a question: how long should Michael Vick continue to pay his debt to society? If he was tried, found guilty, sentenced, and did his time, how much more should we require of him? When is time served…time served? And once a man serves his time, should he be allowed to work at his livelihood again? What does restitution and penitence look like if a person is not allowed to re-enter into society? How is change measured for an outcast?


I have a question: how long should Michael Vick continue to pay his debt to society? If he was tried, found guilty, sentenced, and did his time, how much more should we require of him? When is time served…time served? And once a man serves his time, should he be allowed to work at his livelihood again? What does restitution and penitence look like if a person is not allowed to re-enter into society? How is change measured for an outcast?

My beloved pet is a pit-bull. It sickens me to think of her sweet nature and eagerness to please being manipulated and coaxed into vicious ferocity. The drive to live beating out the tendency towards gentleness. The bloody, messy things people watch for sport and entertainment just boggle my mind.

But the bloodsport didn’t end the day Michael Vick’s dog-fighting ring shut down. The media has carved up Michael Vick’s identity (and all the complexity that comes with being a human being) and left the lopped-off remains: Criminal. Convict. Unforgiven.

What surprises me, though, is the vigorous condemnation after Vick served his time, from people whom I call brothers and sisters in Christ; people who judge any team or organization who would hire this hateful dog-murderer.

The irony, thick as molasses, sits heavy in my heart; people value the dogs more than the man. People who represent a Man who was murdered for folks just like Michael Vick, sound more like Pharisees. People who cheapen the word “justice” (because he did his time) and completely draw a blank on “grace.” The logic escapes me that in order to keep a man from harming dogs, society should bar him from gainful employment and his primary talent.

I, for one, was waiting with baited breath to see who would touch him, take a chance on him, hire him. Because the only difference between him and me is that my dirty laundry doesn’t get aired, because my Savior has covered me, cleanses me, and commissions me to do and be who He uniquely created me to be. He sets me up for second chances. He is the person who sees the philandering tax collector and says, “follow me.” He gives refreshment and life to a Samaritan woman who’s looked in all the wrong places for satisfaction. He turns a murderous zealot into an international witness, coach and church-planter. He’s no stranger to the Michael Vicks of this world.

We are all looking for redemption and a second chance when (not if) we fail. And through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be set free; time served, no probation.

And if this is our unearned inheritance of grace, we should be willing to share.

Sharifa Stevens is a Manhattan-born, Bronx-raised child of the King, born to Jamaican immigrants, and currently living in Dallas. Sharifa's been singing since she was born. Her passion is to serve God's kingdom by leading His people in worship through music, speaking and writing, and relationships with people. Her heart is also unity, inspired by John. Sharifa hates exercise but likes Chipotle, bagels with a schmeer and lox, salmon sushi, chicken tikka, curried goat (yeah, it's good) with rice and peas, and chocolate lava cakes. She's been happily married to Jonathan since 2006...and he buys her Chipotle.

11 Comments

  • Jeremy

    I wholeheartedly agree with
    I wholeheartedly agree with this perspective. If anyone should be quick to offer second chances (or seventy times seventh chances) it should be those of us who worship the God of second chances. The justice system can take care of the justice, payment now for the crime committed, but redemption is another story altogether and we should eagerly desire to show just how powerful God is to redeem.

    Tony Dungee is leading by example here, and that is one reason he is so admired by Christians and non-believers alike.

    Thank you and God bless.

  • Michael Solberg

    Big sigh. Right between the
    Big sigh. Right between the eyes, Sharifa. Well written and, more importantly, insightful human commentary. But most importantly you have empowered me to be more thoughtful and intentional in my words and actions towards others. Now I am wondering what other Vicks have I been speaking piously against?
    Tail between my legs but forgiven, Michael

    • Sharifa Stevens

      Mike, I hit myself first! I

      Mike, I hit myself first! I am SO guilty of this! The Lord has put me in some situations recently that have shone a light on my self-righteousness. Boy, what I saw was ugly. But God is merciful, because He allowed me to see it.

      And I know I’ll mess up again. But I’m praying that God helps me to keep my mouth shut when I’m tempted to join a feeding frenzy.

  • Julianna

    Good Point
    I saw a few minutes of an Oprah re-run the other day: “Oprah talks with Tanya Harding.” I was saddened by Tanya’s beat-down facial expressions and some of the things she said to emphasize her regret over what she did to Nancy Kerrigan and how she has become a pariah. Sad. I wanted her to feel forgiveness.

    Feeling compassion for the Michael Vicks or Tanya Hardings is hard because they’ve become the proverbial “weak kid on the playground” and it is acceptable or cool for everyone to be on the make fun of bandwagon. (This also happened to George Bush- it is perfectly acceptable to annihilate him). So, thanks, Sharifa, for reminder that it is never the right choice for a person indebted to grace not to extend grace. It takes going against our nature to not fall in with the group. In addition, it is also hard to extend grace to co-workers, acquaintences and friends we are called to love and love and love (even after their faults are exposed). Cutting people off is easy. Keeping it on the surface is easy. The way of Christ – forgiveness and grace – is right and fruitful, but not easy!!

    • Sharifa Stevens

      Julianna, I couldn’t have

      Julianna, I couldn’t have said it better myself.

      Thank you for mentioning Tonya Harding and ESPECIALLY George W. Bush – they are excellent examples of lightning rods for constant criticism. I think GWB really has/had it hard.

      Thank you.

  • Tyne

    Thanks!
    Hey Sharifa,

    Great to find you! I am one of Julianna and Adrianne’s friends and Jules directed me this way… thanks for the Truth, and I’ll be back!

    • Sharifa Stevens

      Tyne – I am happy to “meet”
      Tyne – I am happy to "meet" you – I’ve heard so much about you…:o) Thank you for visiting the site. I look forward to hearing your feedback!

  • Nikkol

    Love it!
    Sharifa,

    Thank you for writing this! I agree with everything that you said. I am not a dog lover and maybe that’s why I didn’t join in all of the “Mike Vick is scum” sentiments that I heard from Christians and Non-Christians alike. In any case, I was amazed that Christians would join in on the condemnation. This country seems to make more of a ruckus over the abuse of dogs than the abuse of people (they sweep that under the rug). That amazes me too. But as I get older, I find that I lean more and more toward mercy and I think it’s because I have racked up more sins. While I know God is just, I find myself praising Him for His mercy often. I want all people to experience it and I pray that I am a channel of mercy myself.

    Blessings,
    Nikkol

    • Sharifa Stevens

      Nikkol, I couldn’t have put
      Nikkol, I couldn’t have put it better myself…wow. Thank you for posting.

  • Amanda

    I have been one of those
    I have been one of those pharisee like Christians who preach forgiveness, but have been slow to forgive people like Michael Vick. As I sit here writing this, I am thinking of a million different excuses as to why his case is the exception: he’s not truly remorseful, he only stopped because he was caught, his victims were helpless and trusting. But alas, none of those excuses negate the Christian that Christ has called me to be. I forgive Michael Vick because Christ forgave me.

    Thank you for the lesson in humility and self-righteousness.