WHICH WAY TO TURN?
Fred came to me with a unique question. He was an expert skier, a member of an Olympic team. He was a very popular athlete—one of the favorites of the sportswriters.
As a result, his picture and favorable write-ups appeared constantly in newspapers across the country. Because of his popularity, a ski manufacturer was urging him to turn professional and to endorse their skis. This meant an income of at least $50,000 annually.
The Olympic committee was urging him to remain an amateur. He was the spark plug of the ski team. Fred was torn between his loyalty to the amateur team and the lure of the professional contract.
Finally, Fred agreed to remain an amateur until after the national meet, which would be held in the Rocky Mountains the first week of February.
But the ski manufacturer kept after him, and got him to promise to turn pro after the amateur meet and in time to race in the professional championships the third week of February.
NO SNOW IN THE ROCKIES
The first week of February there was not enough snow in the Rockies, so the meet was moved to New Hampshire, but because of other meets already scheduled in that area, the date was changed to the third week of February.
What was he to do?
The amateur committee insisted that the change in dates did not release him from his promise. But the ski manufacturer had a promise from him, also. He got conflicting advice from attorneys and friends.
“What does a person do?” he asked. “My reputation means more to me than the money. It has never before failed to snow in the Rockies. What do you do when the weather crosses you up? I want to keep my word to the amateurs and I want to turn professional.”
There were no simple answers. We prayed together for wisdom. But, after prayer, the problem remained.
Finally, Fred realized he must take a step of faith. He would stay with the amateur team. His decision involved a great financial loss, but he was at peace with himself because as best he knew, he did what was right.
Thinking about Fred, a Scripture verse comes to mind:
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary (Galatians 6:9).
Making “good” choices is not always easy. For Fred, there was no obvious way to go. His choices had to be determined by the broad “commandments” he was committed to follow.