Title: Sacrificial Giving.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

In a follow up to yesterday's devotional, read the story below of a person (Shavarsh Karapetyan) who gave even at the detriment to his own life.

 41 years ago, a Soviet athlete walked away from professional sports forever. At first glance, it might seem like just another forgotten story — one of thousands in the sporting world. But this one is different.

  We’re talking about an 11-time world record holder, 17-time world champion, 13-time European champion, and 7-time USSR champion. Athletes with such a record are counted on the fingers of one hand. And yet, at the peak of his fame, he suddenly left it all behind. Why? Because of a single day that changed everything.

  September 16, 1976 — Yerevan, Armenia.

A trolleybus fell from the dam into the lake, sinking with 92 passengers trapped inside. Their fate seemed sealed. But on that very morning, along the shore, a champion swimmer named Shavarsh Karapetyan was on his training run.

  What happened next would be called impossible by experts. Diving into the freezing, muddy water, he kicked through the rear glass and began pulling people out — one by one. For more than 20 minutes he fought against darkness, ice-cold water, and his own limits. He saved 20 lives that day.

  Later, he admitted what haunted him most:

"In that zero-visibility water, I grabbed anything I could feel. Once, I surfaced holding only a seat cushion instead of a person. I realized that my mistake cost someone their life. That cushion haunted my dreams for years."

  The price of his heroism was immense: severe pneumonia, sepsis, and the end of his sporting career. He became disabled, never to compete again. But what he lost as an athlete, he multiplied in the richness of his humanity.

  This is not just a story of sacrifice.

It’s a story of Nobility. Courage. Honor. Love. Selflessness. Service to something greater than oneself.

  Heroes like Shavarsh Karapetyan should be the examples we give to the next generation. His act reminds us: greatness is not medals or titles. Greatness is the choice to save others — even at the cost of yourself. 

Jesus laid down His life for both you and me—not so we would perish in sin, but so we could walk in grace and share in His inheritance. Now, as co-heirs with Christ, we’re called to reflect that same sacrificial love.  

Dear friend, what are you willing to offer your neighbour who is struggling today? A simple act of kindness, no matter how small, can ripple into a future transformed.  

May you be richly blessed as you give generously—even when it costs you comfort—knowing that love given in faith never returns empty.

©Dr. Joel Olanrewaju, gbemide09@gmail.com. Please share your testimony here and share this message to your contacts.