Being your Best and not Just the Best

‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith’ (2 Tim 4:7).

‘One October evening in 1968, a group of die-hard spectators remained in the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City to watch the last finishers of a marathon. An hour before Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia had won the race. It was getting cold and dark and the remaining spectators began to leave, when suddenly they heard the sounds of sirens and police whistles coming into the stadium. As they watched in amazement, one last runner made his way unto the track for the last lap of the 26 mile race; it was Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania. As he ran the 400-meter circuit, people could see that his leg was bandaged & bleeding.

He had fallen & injured it during the race, but he refused to let it stop him. Suddenly the people in the stadium rose (some in tears) and applauded without stopping, until he finished or crossed the finish line. As he hobbled away, he was asked why he had not quit since he had no chance of winning a medal. He said ‘my country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race; they sent me here to finish it’. Stephen did not win the race but his heroic attitude got him into the Hall of fame. This inspiring story brings out many life lessons, but in the context of today’s study the main lesson is that, life is not about winning among a group of people but winning the race marked out for you. Even though Stephen Akhwari did not win the race he won his personal race. He wasn’t the best but he did his best. His attitude of not comparing himself with others earned him a place in the hall of fame. Your success in life depends 90% on how you react to events and 10 % on the events that occur in your life. It is all about attitude.

No two people are identical in life. Even identical twins that come from the same egg are different and have unique purposes in life. In as much as it is good to be the best among a group of people, that is not the most important thing. Rather, the most important thing is to do your best and maximize your potential. Even though one might be the best among a group it does not necessarily mean that he is doing his best or maximizing his potential. Sometimes people become complacent and refuse to add value to them selves and grow all because they are the best in their group. Also there are times when people get frustrated about not being the best and loose their joy and peace, even though they are doing their best and maximizing their potential. Are you been intimidated by the successes of others? The Bible says ‘rejoice with those who are rejoicing’ (Rom 12:15). Let the successes of others bring you happiness and have the encouragement that, if God can do it for them then your time will also come

There is nothing wrong with being inspired or challenged by the achievement of others but there is everything wrong with using the successes of others as your benchmark. Every individual has a unique purpose in life and is uniquely equipped with talents and capabilities for that purpose. In life the challenges that come our way are unique just as our finger prints and destinies are, but the key is finishing the race marked out for you. You will be judged according to your purpose and abilities but not the achievements of others.

Today, your prayer should be, LORD HELP ME WORK HARD, UNTILL I BECOME THE BEST THAT I COULD EVER BE IN MY CALLING.