Page 3 - MyFaithMag FEB 2018

EDITORIAL 3

FROM THE

EDITOR

Waldo Malan

There is a great word in the English language, example! Gentleman standing up when a lady “sports-
that when practically implemented, make for enters a room, a guy standing back to allow manship
an extremely civilized society. That word is of a lady first entrance into a room (Western speaks
course “sportsmanship.” Now, sportsmanship culture), or a guy walking into a room first to
really speaks of an attitude we display to our make sure the lady following him will be safe about the
fellowmen (and for those among our readers (African cultures). respect we
who are very PC minded, fellowmen includes have and
ladies as well). We’ve all heard the oh-so- And then, of course, I think good or poor display for
British expression (and hear it with the Queen’s sportsmanship extends even into the spiritual
accent), “Be a sport, old boy!” realm; I equate sportsmanship with attitude, so one an-
the extent to which you approach life will yield other”
But more than this, sportsmanship speaks the desired results. Spiritually speaking our lives
about the respect we have and display for can either be ruled by fear or by faith – there
one another, whether on the sports field or is no middle ground in life. When we are ruled
off. Good sportsmanship speaks about our by fear, our attitudes will tend to display the
consideration for those who occupy our space, negativity and poor sportsmanship (rudeness,
and also for the space we occupy of others. impatience, anger) will result. However, the
flipside is when we approach life with a positive
The origin of the word (I assume) would have attitude that is based in faith. Now faith for me
been from the sports arena where, even in a is a two-way street; it is firstly the faith we have
highly charged and competitive surrounding, in God and ourselves to accomplish things,
one could accept defeat with a certain amount and secondly (and equally important) the faith
of grace. Recently, with the World Cup held in that God has in us! God’s faith in us should be
South Africa, we had great examples of both a motivating factor for a good attitude, after all,
good sportsmanship as well as poor displays He entrusted us with the message of hope and
of attitude and behaviour. I also think that as love to give to a world lost in fear and insecurity.
parents (and as teachers of our future leaders)
we have a tremendous responsibility towards So the next time we find ourselves in a
training our children in the art of sportsmanship. situation where we are tempted to display
Sportsmanship, like charity, starts at home! poor sportsmanship, perhaps it would do us
well to remember that our real task on earth
But sportsmanship extends into all arenas of is to support, encourage and build up the
life, doesn’t it? Would you not consider it good people around us with a positive and love-filled
sportsmanship when people obey the rules message of hope.
of the road, stopping at a red traffic light for