“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
Proverbs 22:1

You’ve gotta hear this story about a race with many runners.

Kenyan runner, Abel Mutai, was only a few yards from the finish line, but got confused with the signs and stopped, thinking he had finished the race. A Spanish man, Ivan Fernandez, was right behind him and, realizing what was going on, started shouting to the Kenyan to keep running. Mutai did not know Spanish and did not understand.

Realizing what was going on, Fernandez pushed Mutai to victory.

A reporter asked Ivan, “Why did you do this?” Ivan replied, “My dream is that one day we can have some sort of community life where we push ourselves and also others to win.”

The reporter asked “But why did you let the Abel Mutai from Kenya win?” Ivan replied, “I didn’t let him win, he was going to win. The race was his.”

The reporter insisted again, “But you could have won!” Ivan looked at him and replied: “But what would be the merit of my victory? What would be the honor of this medal? What would my Mother think of it?”

The values are transmitted from generation to generation. What values do we teach our children, our spouses, and one another.  How much do you inspire others to look out for the interest of others?  Are we making the most of every opportunity to pass these values down to our children?   So many people take advantage of other’s weaknesses instead of helping to strengthen them. It’s so hard for others to often give someone else credit or cheer them on. I have found in my life it’s hard for others to admit that someone else won the race.  It’s hard for other people to acknowledge someone else’s success. I think this story challenges us to be different than the world.

So I think the purpose in life is not to be happy or acquire things.  But rather our purpose is to serve others, empty ourselves, and serve God boldly.  To  be compassionate, useful, and Godly.  To have made some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

Keith Stevens The Race