2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (New International Version)
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you
should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or
under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you
abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you
will abound in every good work.
Kay Poe and Esther Kim have been best friends since they
were seven years old. Among other things they have in common, the two young
ladies from Houston both compete at the highest levels in taekwondo. How good
are they? Esther and Kay advanced to the finals in the Women's Olympic
Flyweight division at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials on May 20 in Colorado
Springs.
"I don't think of her as just a friend. I think of
her more as a sister," Kay says. "We've grown up together, and we
always push each other and help each other out the best we can training
wise." What a story was unfolding! Reporters and photographers were poised
to record the outcome of so intense a competition between two girls who have
been close for so long. But a sports story would soon be overshadowed by a far
more important friendship story.
Kay had dislocated her left kneecap in her semi-final
match of the round robin tournament. Though ranked number one in the world at
her sport, it was questionable that she could compete against her best friend.
She could barely stand, so it was a foregone conclusion that Esther would win,
travel to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, and represent the United States in
the international competition these two had trained and worked toward for so
long.
On the day of the match, Esther Kim shocked the crowd by
forfeiting rather than defeat her friend in an unfair competition. In allowing
the better taekwondo fighter to represent the United States in Sydney, she won
a personal battle over ego and selfishness. Amidst frequent stories of cheating
and taking unfair advantage in order to win at any price, Esther showed how to
win by losing.
"Even though I didn't have the gold medal around
me," said Esther, "for the first time in my life, I felt like a real
champion." Her generosity of spirit was honored with the Citizenship
Through Sports Award and with an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2000 Olympic
Games from the International Olympic Committee.
In the Bible, Paul wrote about giving up certain
"rights" for the sake of people he loved (see 1 Corinthians 9:1-15).
Parents do it all the time for their children. And occasionally friends make huge
gestures like Esther's.
The next time you are inclined to give in to the
selfishness of the masses, recall this story of a twenty-year-old athlete's
largess. The next time you have the chance to show generosity, let it inspire
you to rise to the level of her example.
Dear Lord we pray today that we would look for ways that
we can show your love to those around us even if it means giving up something
ourselves. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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