Photo from Instagram @kobebryant
“Kobe died in a helicopter crash!” I first heard the news from my wife, who left early for work.
My wife asked if I was okay. I said, “yeah. I’m okay.”
I reached for my phone for the first time that day and went to Twitter. I searched for @wojespn and saw this tweet: Kobe Bryant is among those dead in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles, a source confirms to ESPN.
26 January 2020. Kobe Bryant — MVP, champion, NBA legend, creative, businessman, world-changer, father and husband — passed away.
Here’s the list of the beautiful souls that transitioned to eternity because of the crash:
Kobe Bryant
Gianna Bryant
Alyssa Altobelli
John Altobelli
Kerry Altobelli
Christina Mauser
Sarah Chester
Payton Chester
Ara Zobayan
Rest in peace.
I couldn’t go to social media. Tears fell when I saw pictures of Kobe and his daughter. Emotions filled my heart when I read about how Kobe Bryant touched the lives of millions of people.
I wasn’t a fan until as of late because I was a big-time Shaq fan. However, as I matured, I learned how to appreciate the mamba mentality that he spread all throughout the world.
Kobe Quotes
Like you, Kobe inspired me too. Here are three quotes from the Black Mamba that I’ll cherish forever:
1. “Everything negative — pressure, challenges — is all an opportunity for me to rise.”
Kobe did everything to achieve his goals. He took everything that people said about him and used them as fire to fuel his desire to win. He was relentless.
2. “We all love those stories (Classic Fairy Tales), but I also want to create stories for them where they felt like you don’t just fall asleep then wake up and be successful.”
Appreciate the classics but create something that will inspire the new generation.
3. “I can't relate to lazy people. We don't speak the same language. I don't understand you. I don't want to understand you."
I appreciate hard work, but If I’m honest, I’d admit I have lazy days. This quote reminds me that success is not for the lazy.
There’s a lot of inspiring Kobe quotes available online. I recommend you read them. I guarantee that you’ll be inspired.
This was another quote from Kobe when he received the Icon award:
"My next dream is to be honoured one day for inspiring the next generation of athletes: to have a dream, sacrifice for it, and never ever rest in the middle."
Man, there’s really no goal impossible for Kobe.
Such a significant loss to humanity.
Reflection
I reflected a lot from Kobe’s passing for sure. A lot. One thing I did was to send long heartfelt messages to my family about how much I love each one of them.
Here are three things that I want to share with you:
Legacy
Kobe passed too soon, but his legacy will live on. It’s essential to live a legacy.
Proverbs 13:22
English Standard Version (ESV)
22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
Let’s not live life only for ourselves but for others as well.
Family
1 Timothy 5:8
English Standard Version (ESV)
8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Kobe spent time with his wife and children. He started his day at 4 AM and organised his schedule so he could spend time with his family.
Eternity
Kobe stepped into eternity. All of us will, It’s just a question of when.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
English Standard Version (ESV)
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
15 For this, we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Let’s sum it up
Let’s be relentless in achieving our goals, just like Kobe did. If we do, we honour his life more than his death.
If we need inspiration, we have Jesus. And Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us to live an abundant life here on earth and heaven. Receive Jesus as your Saviour and for sure you will spend eternity in heaven with Him.
Because of Jesus, death is but the beginning of something better.
Let’s reach for the stars, my friends and keep the mamba mentality alive.
Thank you for reading this devotional story, and I pray that it encouraged and empowered you in your walk with Christ. Please read other devotional stories on the website. You might find Be Part Of the Handful, Do Difficult Things and Head Start appealing.
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