Quote

Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone to tell you who you are.
Beyonce Knowles

Real Life

The 1990 Commonwealth Games were held in Auckland, New Zealand and are remembered within this nation as a great success; New Zealand achieved its greatest ever medal haul, with a total of 58 medals.

At the time, a great deal of the media attention was focused on Nikki Jenkins, a 14 year old gymnast who won gold for New Zealand. In fact so much of the media’s focus was on her, that almost no coverage was given to another New Zealand gymnast who not only won gold, but also three bronzes.

Angela Walker was a rhythmic gymnast, performing routines with ball, rope and ribbon. Her rope routine at the 1990 Commonwealth Games was considered by many to be faultless, the commentator saying later that the quality of the performance was remarkable. It was with that routine she won gold. She also won bronzes in the all-round section, with her ball routine and with her ribbon routine. This amazing haul of medals has never been done by a New Zealand gymnast, before or since and yet the media had no interest in covering it because they already had their gymnast story. Walker’s friend and teammate, Katie Agnew, said that she felt Walker didn’t get the credit or respect she deserved for her achievements.

Walker says that looking back now, she almost feels she was the lucky one to not have the same level of intense media attention that Nikki did, commenting that she feels grateful that she was able to achieve more than she ever dreamed she would.

Bible Verse

…because you are precious in My eyes, and honoured and I love you.
Isaiah 43:4

Thinking About It

It would be understandable if Angela Walker felt a little robbed of her moment of glory. She had trained and competed internationally for years and at the highest point of her career, competing in her home country, she received almost no public acknowledgment of her successes. However, bitterness and resentment seem far from Walker’s attitude. Instead, she is grateful for the memories of that performance and medal ceremony, for the support and joy of her team mates at her success and for the internal knowledge that she achieved more than she had even dreamed. That has been enough for her.

There is no denying that it feels good to have our successes and achievements honoured, but we do not want to depend on that for our joy. Whatever is happening in our lives, the place we should go to first and foremost for our affirmation is to our Heavenly Father. He has said we are precious in His eyes and He honours and loves us (Isaiah 43:4). If we walk through life on the solid foundation of that knowledge, then other accolades will be a bonus rather than something we crave. Enjoy your successes, but do not depend on them, leave that place of dependence for your Heavenly Father’s love.

Prayer

Lord thank You for loving and valuing me. Lord if I ever feel overlooked or undervalued in my sport or in other areas of my life, help me to look to You first and foremost and be reminded that You see me. Help me to rest in that knowledge.

Author: Sarah Auld   |   Content Editor: Phil Pawley