WHO IS BEST

It was amazing to watch Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge smashing the two-hour marathon barrier. This event reminded me that we cannot always be the best, but when we put our personal best effort forth we succeed.

"The law of nature cannot allow all human beings to think together," the reigning Olympic marathon champion said. "In breaking the two-hour barrier, I want to open minds to think that no human is limited. All our minds, all our thoughts are parallel. But I respect everybody's thoughts."

Dr. Wayne W.Dyer said: "My goal is not to be better than anyone else, but to be better than I used to be."

Theologically speaking, I realise that on the other side of the coin, I know, as well, the fact that in this world, people do not hesitate to use others to gain something for themselves. With that said I don't want to say that there are not righteous people on this earth, because there truly are.

“Every man cannot be the best; but every man can be his best,” someone once wrote. The truth of these words is apparent. Not all humans are created equal in terms of physical ability. Some are bigger, faster, smarter and more handsome. That simply is a fact of life. It does not matter who is best; it does matter that we respect the effort of each person if they expend the same amount of effort - as Christ said in Mathew 22:39: "Love your neighbour as yourself." This is looking at God's law positively. Rather than worrying about all we should not do, we should concentrate on all we can do to show our love for God and others.

For example Jesus has no problem in being subject to the Father for eternity. Jesus is the best He can be in this case. We too are subject to some. We are told to honour our parents in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12).

Our parents, elders, teachers and others surpass us in knowledge, experience, wisdom and various abilities. Mozart was a better composer, Shakespeare was a better writer and Pele was a better soccer player. We cannot always be the best, but when we put our personal best effort forth we succeed.

Who is best is decided by the one who is the best he or she can be.