Values. Honor. And Integrity.

The Secret of Soul facebook page recently posted this story about a Kenyan runner Abel Mutai who was competing in a cross-country race in Burlada, Navarre, Spain, in 2012.

Mutai was just a few feet from the finish line, but became confused with the signage and stopped, thinking he had completed the race.

A Spanish runner, Ivan Fernandez, was right behind him and, realizing what was happening, started shouting at the Kenyan to continue running. Mutai didn’t know Spanish and didn’t understand. Realizing what was taking place, Fernandez pointed and pushed Mutai to victory.

Following the race a journalist asked Ivan, “Why did you do that?”

Ivan replied, “My dream is that someday we can have a kind of community life where we push and help each other to win.

The journalist insisted, “But why did you let the Kenyan win?”

Ivan replied, “I didn’t let him win, he was going to win. The race was his.”

The journalist 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 in that medal? What would my mother think of that?”

While this story has been reported on several sites, one suggested the reporters interaction was embellished. While I’m not 100% sure about the accuracy of the questions and answers, Fernandez’s reputed responses speak to us regarding issues of honor, honesty, integrity and values. The post further offered this observation.

“Values are passed on from generation to generation. What values are we teaching our children? Let us not teach our kids the wrong ways and means to win. Instead, let us pass on the beauty and humanity of a helping hand. Because honesty and ethics are winning.”

In an age where people, and especially those in high places, lust for power, position and prestige and will seek to win at all cost, this is a refreshing story.

God’s Word challenges us to treat others the way we want to be treated. To do nothing based on selfish ambition, pride, or deceitfulness. And to behave with honor and honesty in dealing with our fellowman.

Paul expressed such values with these words in Philippians 2:3-4.  “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

When we’re faced with a tough moral or ethical decision, it might be good to ask as Ivan did, “What would my mother think?” However, it might be even better to ask, “What would Jesus think?”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman