Glimpse of the Kingdom

Many years ago, Rev. Jack Meadows told a wonderful story of an incident that occurred during the Special Olympics. Here’s what happened. Nine children lined up for the 100-yard dash. When the gun sounded, the children were off to the races. Only a few yards into it, one of the children fell and began to cry. Immediately, all of the other eight children stopped running, turned around, and came to the aid of their fallen friend. A young girl with Down’s Syndrome leaned down, kissed him, and brushed him off. The other children then lifted him off the ground. They joined arms, as they ran over the finish line together. The audience rose to their feet in applause. There was not one, but nine winners that day!

Meadows wrote, “For a fleeting moment these children showed us what the Kingdom of God is like. They challenged the world’s concept that first place is everything. The world says defeating, even destroying, one’s competitor is the way to go.” Instead, these young folks demonstrated love, unity, and grace. Their actions brought beauty into the world. And, they witness to a better way of living.

Let us pray: We thank you, Holy God, for the desire to achieve and succeed that you have built within us. But we admit that sometimes this drive causes us to lose sight of the bigger picture. We thank you today for the witness of your children during a Special Olympics. May we follow their example with our charity, grace, and compassion. Amen.