A TRUE CHAMPION

            

You may have heard it said, "Be careful how you take advantage of people." For hundreds of years, people have taken advantage of other people because they believe they can get over them. Today's true story is an example of integrity at its best. 

Is winning all that counts, or saving money in one area, while spending it like a foolish person good? Some of you may say yes to these questions. Yet are you absolutely sure about that?

On December 2, 2012, a Spanish athlete Iván Fernández Anaya was competing in a cross-country race in Burlada, Navarre. He was running second, some distance behind race leader Abel Mutai - bronze medalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the London Olympics. As they entered the finishing straight, he saw the Kenyan runner - the certain winner of the race - mistakenly pull up about 10 meters before the finish, thinking he had already crossed the line.

Fernández Anaya quickly caught up with him, but instead of exploiting Mutai's mistake to speed past and claim an unlikely victory, he stayed behind and, using gestures, guided the Kenyan to the line and let him cross first.

He was the rightful winner. He created a gap that I couldn't have closed" "I didn't deserve to win it," says 24-year-old Fernández Anaya. Everyone saw that the Kenyan runner Abel Mutai was a few meters from the finish line, but got confused by the signals and stopped, thinking he had finished the race.

The Spanish runner, Ivan Fernandez, was right behind him and, realizing what was happening in front of him, began shouting for the Kenyan to keep running. Motai did not know Spanish and did not understand. Yet, Fernandez pushed Mutai to victory.

One reporter asked Iván after, "Why did you do this?" Iván replied, "My dream is that one day we can have the kind of community life that pushes ourselves and others to win as well."

"But why did you let the Kenyan win?" the reporter insisted. Fernández replied, "I didn't let him win, he would win. It was his race." The reporter insisted and asked again: "But you could have won!"

Fernández looked at him and replied, "But what is the merit of my victory? What is the honor of this medal? What will my mother think?"

"In the Burlada cross-country race there was hardly anything at stake [...] apart from being able to say that you had beaten an Olympic medalist," says Fernández Anaya. "But even if they had told me that winning would have earned me a place in the Spanish team for the European championships, I wouldn't have done it either. Of course, it would be another thing if there was a world or European medal at stake. Then, I think that, yes, I would have exploited it to win... But I also think that I have earned more of a name having done what I did than if I had won. And that is very important, because today, with the way things are in all circles, in soccer, in society, in politics, (in the workplace), where it seems anything goes, a gesture of honesty goes down well."

“Values are passed on from generation to generation. What values do we teach our children and to what extent do they inspire others to earn them? Most of us take advantage of people's weaknesses rather than helping to strengthen them.” Credit: Reddit.

If you are taken advantage of, or exploiting someone today, stop it, and do the right thing. God is looking. The Bible teaches, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-21.

Remember, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9. Do you want to be a true champion, then do what is right to all men, at all times, and walk in your integrity.

Video of the day: https://youtu.be/omIDvBSoId8

 

By GARDEN MINISTRY - Chaplain Dr. Kevin J.T Santucci