Quote

The freedom to be yourself is a gift only you can give yourself. But once you do, no one can take it away.
Doe Zantamata

Real Life

Cathy Freeman grew up in the 70’s and 80’s in Queensland, Australia.

She began running as an eight year old and dominated from the beginning but sadly, due to systemic racism at that time, aboriginal children did not always receive medals or certificates as the white children did. Freeman says that this did not bother her because she knew she had won the race.

At the 1994 Commonwealth Games, Freeman won gold in the 200 and 400 metre events. For her lap of honour, Kathy held both the Australian and Aboriginal flags which prompted censure from the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA).

Freeman won medals at the ’96 Olympics and ’98 Commonwealth games but it was at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney that she ran “the race that stopped a nation”. Carrying the weight of an entire nation’s expectations, Freeman ran an outstanding race to become Olympic Champion. She once again ran her lap of honour holding up the two flags precious to her – Australian and Aboriginal.

When Freeman was denied acknowledgement of her victories on the track as a child, she took comfort in the fact that she knew she had won. When she was publicly reprimanded by the ACGA she rested in the knowledge that she had simply represented who she was. In each instance and throughout her life, Freeman sought to represent herself with integrity, irrespective of what others were saying.

The bible speaks repeatedly about how we are chosen by God (1 Peter 2:9, John 15:16) and have inherent value and specific design (Psalm 139:13-16, Ephesians 2:10). When we know these truths about our identity, it can give us the strength to be true to who we are, even if the world around us is pressuring us to be otherwise or saying we’re a nobody. When we are able to live out who we truly are, with humility and purpose, we have the potential to powerfully impact the world around us.

Bible Verse

For we are God’s masterpiece.
Ephesians 2:10

Prayer

Lord thank You for designing me with gifts, talents and purpose. Thank You that You have a plan and a purpose for me. Help me to stay true to who You created me to be, irrespective of the pressures around me.

Author: Sarah Auld   |   Content Editor: Phil Pawley