Humble in Victory, Gracious in Defeat

There’s a comedy sketch by one of Australia’s more family-friendly comedians doing the rounds this week that highlights a characteristic of the Millennial Generation’s experience of growing up – the introduction of the participation ribbon for any activity undertaken. 

It also highlights the statement heard spoken by older generations – namely “in my day …”

Essentially, it is a comedy sketch aimed at making fun of those who are struggling to keep up with the pace of change and the renewed focus on what it takes to win – at sport, in business, ultimately “in life”.

Excellence takes time to manifest.  Practice and preparation are critical.  Talent helps; mental sharpness and focus are also important factors.  A support crew enhances the chance of success, a long history of exposure to successful people also seems to be a help.  Essentially, leave nothing to chance.

And, yet many of us know – through our own experience – that there are times when circumstances do not bring success.  It could be a fluke weather condition, or a supernatural performance by a competitor, or simply an “off day” – that brings our best efforts no reward.

Which is why, when we are faced with the prospect of winning, it is critical to ask – as we should in all circumstances – “what would Jesus do?”  I’m not being twee; it’s a critical question we all must ask, if we are to live as authentic disciples of Christ.

Humble in Victory – not taking it as a moment for being self-lauding; not using the victory moment to remind others how much better you’ve been or how much harder you’ve worked. Rather, to turn it away from you and focus on those who’ve made it possible, who’ve shared with you in the victory; indeed, making appropriate acknowledgment to the One who gave you the talent and the circumstance to do so well.  Offering the hand of appreciation to others and offering consolation genuinely.

Gracious in Defeat – making that moment of failure not being about your own disappointment, but rather looking for the good others have done; acknowledging that others have God-given talents and that they deserve their success; indeed, that you are grateful for the opportunity to compete in the same event as them.  Receiving the hand of appreciation; offering the hand of congratulation; giving praise to the victors genuinely.

This is why it is such a beautiful story this week, our twin successes. 

• The victory for our Secondary Athletics Team at the EISM Division 1 (the top division) Athletics Meet was a first for Donvale – never before has our name been engraved on that trophy. 
• The multiple awards received in the schools’ divisions at the ‘Generations in Jazz’ gathering, held last weekend at Mt Gambier and involving nearly 100 of our students and about 18 staff.

Seeing the footage taken, on phones and cameras, at the moment of victory, captures our students enjoying that moment of victory and exhibiting a generous humility to those who were also part of the event.  Similarly, hearing stories of the way those in the athletics team and the entire Generations in Jazz ‘team’ who had not had individual success were generous in their praise of their competitors and appropriately excited for their own school mates who had done so well.

These were team efforts – the sum of the parts of the team (every single person added together) made for very powerful teams – ones that carried the day.  Praise God.

And, as a footnote – our German team (those who ventured to Germany on exchange with St Michael’s School in Paderborn) extended this humility and graciousness across their four weeks to those whom they met, those whom they stayed with and those who hosted events for them. 

I had the privilege of spending some of that time with them, and their time there was a “win” – a restarting of an important exchange between our schools, one that will thrive as students from across the world meet one another with curiosity, good will and a generous spirit, keen to share experiences and friendships that will last for many, many years.

May this week provide all of us with moments to extend our own grace and humility to those we spend time with.

Shalom.