Disqualified!
What do you think of when you hear that word? It depends on how it relates to you. Last evening I watched the Winter Olympics Short Track Speed Skating. That sport is just intense. And the race in particular was something akin to a relay. Except, it seemed more akin to the model of the solar system my 8th grade science teacher had in his room. Colored bodies seemed to be rotating around the center of the ice. Some closer than others....then they would change places. And what is up with that pushing?
Anyway, at the end of the 3000-meter relay race, the South Koreans were circling the track, their flag held high in celebration. The Chinese team was doing the same, as was the Canadian team. The fourth place finishers, the United States, were gathered on the side of the track talking with their coaches. What the celebrating skaters did not seem to realize was that the head referee was reviewing the video of the race. The final lap in particular. See, when the final lap began, and the final change of skaters was taking place, it appears there was minor contact between the South Korean and Chinese skater. View the race here:
After several minutes of viewing the video and discussion among the judges, the South Korean team was disqualified. They went from being on top of the world and receiving the greatest reward to leaving the games empty-handed. And having the stigma of having been disqualified. Not only that, but other lives were changed and affected. The United States team, who had finished in last place with no medal, suddenly were awarded the Bronze. And because of the actions of one person, the other South Korean team members who had honestly run the race, were disqualified as well.
I began to think of what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24-26:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
The worst feeling has to be having run the entire race, thinking that you not only finished, but actually won, and then finding out you have been disqualified. One of our primary goals has to be to prevent that. We need to run the race, not only with purpose, but with integrity. Every decision you makes impacts more than just yourself. Consider the consequences of your decisions. Determine to live your life with integrity.
No comments:
Post a Comment