Trophy or Trash

“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8

Long before Dr. James Dobson emerged as America’s icon for pro-family advocacy, his sights were set on another goal. As a freshman at Pasadena College in California, he was determined to secure his name on the school’s perpetual tennis trophy. It bore the names of every college champion since 1947. Upon viewing this trophy in the administration building, he established that pursuit as his passion for life. Dr. Dobson wrote, “As strange as it may seem today, becoming our college tennis champ was my highest goal in living at that time.” He went on to letter in tennis all four years, was captain of the team his senior year, and had his name inscribed on the trophy twice during his last two seasons.

About fifteen years later, a close friend found the trophy among some other trash while throwing away some debris. Dr. Wil Spaite, one of Dobson’s former teammates, recognized the once significant relic and retrieved it from the garbage. He took it home, cleaned it up, and made necessary repairs before presenting it to the two-time college tennis champion.

Dr. Dobson now has the trophy on display in his office as a vivid reminder that, “If you live long enough, life will trash your trophies.”

Be very selective of your pursuits because many, if not most, will ultimately end up in the trash.