Article April 14, 1986 Issue

The spiritual strength of the individual

THOMAS C. ASHER

A while ago I attended a professional tennis match between two of the best women players in the world. At a crucial point the player who was ahead in the match made a terrific, unreturnable serve to her opponent. The line judge called the serve out, but the opponent knew the serve was in. She hesitated a moment, then she calmly walked to the other side of the court, thereby informing the judges that the serve was indeed a legitimate winner.

No one would have faulted that player for accepting the mistaken line call, because virtually all tennis players welcome a line judge's decision that is in their favor—especially when considerable money and prestige are at stake, as was the case in this match. But this woman was not guided by the practice of the majority. She apparently had some regard for what was right and fair.

In our careers and social experiences, how do we respond when we discern that the practice of the majority is not in accord with the highest standard? What if we discover that the masses are heading in a mistaken direction? A direction that does not honor God?

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