The Harlem Globetrotters and Christ's Heart for Children

 

“Everybody, hold your babies in the air,” yelled a Globetrotter from center court. The arena filled with laughs and cheers as the Lion King soundtrack’s, Circle of Life, played for thousands of people. This was the scene as the Harlem Globetrotters proudly hoisted a toddler above head whom they retrieved from his mother and father who sat joyfully in the crowd. As the Trotters comically reenacted the famous scene of Simba’s public presentation, they found a way to include not just one young fan, but multiple young fans into their show, all at once.

The basketball play was skillful, the comedy was entertaining, but what impacted me the most about the Globetrotters was their care for the children of our city. Multiple times they centered kids in their comedy routines. It was all new to the kids of course, but the Trotters listened and reacted to the kids witfully. They invited youngsters to dance, run and play with them on the biggest stage in town. Beyond the four quarters of play, the players and coaches stayed on the court to interact with fans. They spent time taking pictures, signing autographs, high fiving, conversing, and encouraging the young and old. None of it seemed superficial or forced either. Quite the opposite is true. You got the impression that they really enjoyed being with the people. Not above the people, or just around the people; but with the people. This became apparent as the Globetrotters staff had to wrangle the players and coaches into the locker room. To keep schedule, the stars of the show had to be pulled away from the remaining fans, or else they might have stayed with them all day.

As I recall how the Globetrotters interact with the youth, I think of Christ’s words in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them . . .” Jesus made this command in response to his disciples rebuking the people for bringing kids to him for healing (Mt. 19:13). In two consecutive chapters (Matthew 18 and 19), Jesus teaches that those who keep humble and innocent hearts like those of children will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

With that being said, I am taken aback that the King of the universe, Jesus Christ, centers the little ones. He values their presence and prioritizes them among the mature and social contributors. Jesus does not dismiss the children to pander to those who can finance his ministry. This is what I enjoyed so much about watching the Harlem Globetrotters. The arena hosted people from all socio-economic backgrounds and positions in life. The Globetrotters did not pander to the VIPs and those in the presidential suits (neither did they exclude them), rather they centered the children in the show. The kids are not the ones writing the checks and booking next year’s tickets to see them play again, but they are the ones with a lifetime ahead of them. Now, kids across the country have a once in a lifetime memory of getting to participate with the Harlem Globetrotters that they will get to tell for the rest of their lives.

My father, Meadow Lemon, grew up traveling with the Harlem Globetrotters and his father Meadowlark Lemon. For this reason, I am as well versed in Harlem Globetrotter history as any 30-something year old. I grew up hearing stories of my grandfather and his teammates bringing joy to a racially torn nation. I believe they did it with the humility and purity of heart spoken of in Matthew 18 and 19. In my grandfather’s years as minister, I remember he would often call the young athletes forward during his sermons so he could lay hands on them and pray for them personally. As the Globetrotters call the young people out of the stands to participate in the Circle of Life theme song, Meadowlark Lemon called young people out of the pews to participate in God’s design for eternal life. I am happy to see that the Globetrotters are carrying forth God’s heart to prioritize the young ones. Children are the heartbeat of our families and the future of our world. My challenge is for all of us to consider these questions in response: How can we follow suit? What extra steps can we take to center and prioritize the youth in our communities? How can we give opportunities and attention to the children in our care, and to children we do not know?