People are running away with this Steve Harvey story last night. If you haven't heard, which I'm sure you have by now, you can catch up right here: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2015/12/21/miss-universe-host-makes-huge-gaffe-names-wrong-winner-pageant/
Even Donald Trump is getting in on the self righteous fodder of Mr. Harvey: http://money.cnn.com/2015/12/21/media/miss-universe-2015-donald-trump/
I mean some of these folks are going racial on my brother (see social media comments from the link below under Miss Colombia).
Now before you get too bent out of shape about my thoughts: I'm not here to defend Steve Harvey. Not anybody could have made this mistake. You'll see what I'm talking about later on in this post. This is the thing that freaks me out about public speaking. That's why I usually take my time whenever I speak publicly. Yes, even with notes. If you've ever hung out with me in a social setting you'll notice that I'm very careful with my words. I can be direct at times, but very guarded about what I say and how I say it. Truth is, I'm really just a plain old guy who will split a few verbs behind the scenes every now and then mainly because I'm always conscious of my speech even when the camera's are off.
At first, when I heard the story and saw the videos of Steve's "Where's my Ant-Man suit" blunder, I didn't know if I should laugh or cry?! I mean Steve's a highly and successfully branded professional comedian right? Of course, there's nothing funny about what happen to these two lovely women on the international stage with millions of people watching in shock and disbelief. I mean how do you come back from this if you're Miss Colombia?
Compounded by his incredibly untimely blunder is the misspelling of the names of the final Universe pageant winners in an apologetic tweet "Philippians" and "Columbia." (I think he's updated that tweet now). I can't fault him too much for this one. I could see myself doing that too (Bible exposure alert) - especially Miss Philippines.
Miss Colombia may have summed things up best: "Everything happens for a reason.": https://twitter.com/search?q=colombia&ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Esearch.
It kind of reminds me of Joseph when he responded to his brothers concerns about retaliation against them for the evil they had done to him:
Genesis 50:15-21 (NKJV) - When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him." So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, "Before your father died he commanded, saying, 'Thus you shall say to Joseph: "I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you." Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to them. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we are your servants." Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
For all we know prior to this moment in Joseph's life, he could have been quietly waiting with hand in fist for his father to past before taking advantage of t/his golden opportunity to enact a notice of retribution on his brothers for the unthinkable wrong done to him by them. But rather than go for the kill he cried instead. Wow! What a moment.
I know. Maybe we're not saving and destroying millions of lives with our reaction to "Steve Harvey's Series of Unfortunate Events", but any attacks on this man, who was clearly shaken by his mistake (and mind you accomplished comedians aren't often so visibly and overwhelmingly taken aback), may say a lot about our character in this case.
Proverbs 24:17 warns us, "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles." That's to your enemy! The NIV tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall."
I never want to make a mistake on this level.
That could also mean you and I may never ever get to this level. Um! I know most of us would love a shot at fame and fortune right? Well, if your reaction to Steve Harvey's gaffe is anything but stellar, you may want to mark that 15 minutes of fame off your bucket list. See, I told you earlier you'd understand what I meant by "Not anybody could have made this mistake."
The fear of making a mistake on this scale means you'll never accept an opportunity to do something greater than you've ever done before. I can't promise you I'm ready to say no to that kind of open door. However, if it means I'm going to be ridiculed for a mishap for which I am unwilling or unable to admit and face head on -- well perhaps I'm better off keeping to myself in my own little comfort zone.
Miss Colombia was Miss Universe at the best time: on the stage at an unprecedented moment. I guarantee you Miss Colombia's career may have just received the kind of boost that will insulate her from ever becoming an afterthought in the minds of people everywhere. She could write that book now. Nobody ever remembers the runner ups, right?
Not any more...
OFT