Friday; March 27

        I am not sure which made Jesse Owens more popular – what he did or when he did it.  Jesse Owens was an accomplished athlete before the 1936 Olympic Games, but winning four gold medals brought him athletic notoriety and that he did it in Berlin, Germany defying Nazi ideology made it even more special.  The other day, I came across a quote of his that I thought was challenging.  The gold medalist noted, “Friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition.  Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust.”.  As I thought about modern times, I wondered if we have forgotten the phrase “friendly competition”.  Contrary to the beliefs of many, winning isn’t everything – if we are going to be successful in life, relationships take precedence.  Sure, it can be good to win, and it is invigorating to compete, but at the end of the day, shaking hands may be the biggest victory of all.  Without camaraderie, victory is often hollow. 

          Before Jesse Owens participated in his events, the wise man Solomon observed, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17).  When we seek to win friends – as well as arguments and competitions – we not only make a mark as a noble competitor, but as a quality human being as well.  Winning at all cost can truly cost us too much.  Let’s try hard – but try even harder to be a good friend.

          Think About It!

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