That One Person

Scripture References: 1 Samuel 23:16-17; Ephesians 4:7; Hebrews 2:4

Jessie Owens and Luz Long competed against each other in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. What Owens later called “an act of special grace and special courtesy to a fellow athlete” enabled him to win his fourth gold medal. Long had already qualified for the running broad jump, while Jessie had jumped short on his first qualifying attempt, then fouled on the second. Long had been watching his rival. He walked over and urged Owens to begin his third leap well behind the rubber mat. Jessie did so, qualified, and won the gold medal, establishing a new Olympic record. Long finished second.

After the competition, Long walked with Owens down the jump runway and, directly in front of Adolph Hitler’s box, thrust his arms around the great black American. Hitler, who had refused to greet any black winners, turned away, enraged. Long died in 1943 fighting on the eastern front.

Christians subordinate personal success to develop skills in others—it is the community factor in brotherhood. While we endeavor to excel in our personal capabilities, we also encourage others in theirs. The advantage is obvious: regardless who succeeds, the whole body benefits!

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley © 1995 by Word, Incorporated.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.