A PB is Measured by Obedience

“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.” Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV

In a heartwarming story published by Sky News following Monday’s 130th Boston Marathon, it was reported that two men stopped their own race to help a fellow runner cross the finish line at this year's iconic race.

Ajay Haridasse fell to the ground shortly after the 26th mile mark at the Boston Marathon on Monday.

Aaron Beggs pulled Mr Haridasse to his feet and was joined by Robson De Oliveira - the pair then put their arms around Mr Haridasse to support him to the finish.

After falling down the fourth time, I was getting ready to crawl," Mr Haridasse told the Boston Herald. "Obviously the wheels kinda fell off at mile 26…"

“It was a split-second decision," Mr De Oliveira wrote on social media. "When I entered the final stretch of the marathon, I was just a few meters away from achieving my personal best, but in the distance I saw [Haridasse] collapsing.

"I knew I wouldn't have the strength to help him on my own. In that moment, I thought, 'God, if someone stops, I'll stop too and help him.'"

He said he knew he could help "because two are stronger than one."

Mr De Oliveira also ended up in the medical tent after the race with Mr Haridasse, who was suffering from extreme dehydration.

"The fact not many people realise you gave everything to help and ended up in a worse state than the guy we helped," Mr Beggs replied on Mr De Oliveira's post. "True star."

And, you know, quite sadly many people in our world today would say that De Oliveira made the wrong choice and should have finished the race and claimed the Personal Best (PB) he had worked so hard for. But this is the deal… God doesn’t measure a believer’s “personal best” in the same way the world does. He measures it by our obedience. De Oliveira knew Ajay needed help and he also knew that he, himself, needed another person’s help and cried out to God to provide it.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

And when the Lord answered that plea by sending Aaron, Robson immediately placed his own ambition and goal to the side to look out for the interest of a fallen runner who needed help.

In this way, Robson shone the spotlight on the Lord rather than on himself. He let his light shine before men in the good work that he did—something that glorifies the Father in heaven. And for that I agree that Robson is indeed a "true star".

A Personal Best (or PB) then, at the end of the day, isn’t measured by what we accomplished for ourselves but by what we did for others.

So, live your life to bring glory to God rather than to yourself my friend. Be obedient to the calling He has placed on your life and, in the end, you’ll find that submitting to God’s will rather than following your own is the greatest measure of success. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You don’t measure success in the same way the world does. Knowing that, help us to always choose serving You above going after our own goals that we might lead others to You and be obedient to the commands You have laid out in the Bible.  It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!