NFL Pro Benjamin Watson Dies for his Faith

What a wonderful witness to see a pro athlete stand up for something other than himself!  What a relief to finally find a pro who embodies a role model for those of us who are called senior citizens.  I am talking about Benjamin Watson, New Orleans Saints pro, who could write that that faith cannot be faked and discipleship is costly.  Enter Dietrich Bonhoeffer's concept of the The Cost of Discipleship where there is no "cheap grace."  Watson sent out a tweet that has been singing viral in social media.
To the point, he writes:

As I sit here in a 21st century United States, I can't help but wonder when we too will face martyrdom for our faith. 

In his tweet, he traced the development of Christianity from the blood of martyrs, an accurate, painful outline to be sure.  He quotes Jesus from Luke that our confession of his Lordship is our real life; dying with him, we really live.

  

"And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God." Luke 12:8

My point is that Watson has already died to himself to make this confession.  I know he spoke of physical death.  But something had to get out of the way in him to make this declaration.  Lent is that time when we try to give up whatever blocks us from making that witness.  Is it chocolate?  wine?  Or, a spiritual recognition of one's ego--the need to be at the center of THE story that only God can write.