NOT UNTO US, O LORD, BUT UNTO THEE

“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.” Psalm 115:1

"I didn't deserve to win it. I did what I had to do. But he was the rightful winner.” These were the words of Ivan Fernandez Anaya, a Spanish runner who showed the world that sometimes, just sometimes, winning isn’t everything.  Ivan went on to say, “He created such a gap that I couldn't have closed if he hadn't made a mistake. As soon as I saw he was stopping, I knew I wasn't going to pass him." According to El Pais, it happened as the 24-year-old raced a cross-country event in Burlada, Navarre on Dec. 2, 2013.

In second place to Abel Mutai, the Kenyan athlete who won a bronze medal in the London Olympics, Anaya suddenly had a chance to surge ahead. According to El Pais, Mutai mistakenly thought that the end of the race came about 10 meters sooner than it did and stopped running. Then, he “looked back and saw the people telling him to keep going," Anaya told CNA. "But since he doesn't speak Spanish, he didn't realize it." So, Anaya slowed down and guided Mutai to the actual finish line. Ivan impressed the world by giving up the victory to do the right thing.

Today, we may ask ourselves, “What am I giving up to do the right thing that someone else may succeed?” This morning around 7:13 a.m., I got a call from Boston Mass. General Hospital. It was our daughter Kevina. With such a beautiful voice, she said, “Dad I’m out of the ICU into a general ward for those with cancer.” She went on to say, “after I got up this morning and spent time with Jesus, I wanted to call you to say I love you. Dad, after worship with God, I didn’t want to turn on the TV in my room. All I wanted was to do was spend some time with you.”

I called Karon and Karis, and we all had worship with Kevina by phone. As my wife Karon closed our worship with prayer before we hung up, Kevina said, “Dad I thank God for this experience and test.” We will see her soon.

What are you willing to give up for the success of another? I don’t know what your answer is, but there’s something you need to know if you want to achieve success. As John Morgan suggests, “It has nothing to do with the skills you have learned, the education you may need, or the resources you have to tap into. If you want success, you need to know what you’re willing to give up. For most, success means adding something to life. Whether that is happiness, a soul mate, a new job, or more money, it’s all about addition. The reality is that if you want to add something to your life that represents success, then something has to give.

You’ve been taught that success isn’t easy, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, it’s a lot easier than we build it up to be. One thing about success, that is without a doubt completely true, is that it is never convenient. That’s why you must be willing to sacrifice and give up comfort and convenience in order to achieve success.”

To this date, May 12, 2015, we have seen how God has brought Kevina to a place where she had to give up many things to receive the success of the Lord in her life. As I was reading the message of the Lord from Exodus 15:1-21 to my family this morning, Kevina started to sing the verses from memory. When she had finish singing, I want on to Revelation 15:2-4, and she started to sing again. What joy we sense this morning by the moving of the Holy Spirit in our midst and her heavenly singing.

Then, God reminded me of a quotation that reads, “This song and the great deliverance, which it commemorates made an impression never to be effaced from the memory of the Hebrew people. From age to age it was echoed by the prophets and singers of Israel, testifying that Jehovah is the strength and deliverance of those who trust in Him. That song does not belong to the Jewish people alone. It points forward to the destruction of all the foes of righteousness and the final victory of the Israel of God. The prophet of Patmos beholds the white-robed multitude that have “gotten the victory,” standing on the “sea of glass mingled with fire,” having “the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 289)

Let us remember people like Kevina, who have been given another change by God, to testify of His goodness according to their gift and ministry through sacrifice.

Chaplain Kevin Santucci

Bermuda

A prayer song: Great and Marvelous – By Madison Mission

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