The Agony of Defeat

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:8-18 ESV).

Does the name Vinko Bogataj mean anything to you? Probably not would be my guess. Very few people will recognize the name of this famous man. Before I tell you who he is, here are some hints. He drives a forklift in a factory that manufactures anchor chains. He lives a very quiet life with his wife, two daughters, and mother-in-law. In his spare time, he paints and carves wood. Still no idea? Here are some more specific hints. Vinko Bogataj lives in Lesce, Yugoslavia, and is probably the most famous retired ski jumper in history.

Still no guesses? Well, even if you don’t know recognize his name, you’ve probably seen him jump. You see, Vinko Bogataj happens to be the athlete known as the “Agony of Defeat” for ABC’s Wide World of Sports opening visual collage. He was the ski jumper who took the incredible head-over-heals fall while in a ski jump competition in Oberstdorf, Germany, in 1971. Unfortunately for Vinko, Wide World of Sports was there to capture every inglorious second of his spectacular fall. They have been broadcasting that fall at the opening of their show every week for years, permanently immortalizing him in the “Sports Hall of Shame.” Jim McKay, the voice of Wide World of Sports for thirty years, says that the single most asked question about the show concern this poor skier from Lesce!

While I have not failed quite so spectacularly as Vinko, there have been those times when I thought I could never overcome a mistake. All of us have had those kinds of embarrassing moments. It is true that when others keep reminding us of our failures, it is much more difficult to overcome a sense of being a failure. However, failing does not make one a failure. The real key to overcoming any failure in life is in perseverance. B. F. Skinner wrote the following verse:

Failure is not always a mistake,
It may be simply the best one can do
under the circumstance.
The real mistake is to stop trying.

One caution, however: trying does not mean doing the same things that caused our failures in the first place. Sometimes trying means choosing a different direction in which to walk. Just don’t stop walking!