Traffic went into a suspended state on the streets of Manila.  Vehicle flow in other major cities and provincial outskirts followed suit.  In violence-infested regions, atrocities between the military and insurgents ceased.  The crime rate plummeted to zero.  For a while, the underprivileged were transported into a trancelike break from their miseries.

Then suddenly, the entire country erupted into victorious jubilation.  Manny Pacquiao, their “national fist,” earned an unprecedented 8^th world boxing title in 8 weight classes. He entered the boxing ring bringing the Philippines into a standstill and once more, he did not fail to deliver. He is now considered globally as the greatest fighter of this generation, if not of all time, in boxing history.

Yet, what strikes me most about Pacquiao’s global impact is the spiritual image he exudes.  This was evident in the ad Nike used in launching a media blitz before Pacquiao squared off with Oscar De La Hoya, the world’s most popular boxer before he suffered defeat in the hands of Pacquiao. In contrast with an action-packed, high-energy motif, Pacquiao is pictured kneeling at the corner of a boxing ring with the caption GIVE US THIS DAY.

What an image!  The leading international sports corporation just portrayed one of the world’s toughest and most intense athletes solemnly praying in a marketing poster.  Nike wrapped its battle cry slogan with the deep religiosity of the boxing king.  In effect, Nike was sounding a clarion call, “BEND YOUR KNEES TO GOD!  JUST DO IT!”

Indeed, man’s highest triumphs however spectacular, is only temporal but God is eternal!  This reality must have been in the back of Pacquiao’s mind when he expressed his desire to continue his college studies and graduate, “Boxing is different, it’s not for life.”  The Goliath-slayer David, with whom Pacquiao has been identified, declared: “All who go down to the dust will kneel before him—those who cannot keep themselves alive.” (Psalms 22:29 NIV)  “All nations — and you made each one — will come and bow before you, Lord;…You alone are God.” (Psalms 86:9-10 NLT)

For a moment, imagine that we are all in a huge hall.  The door opens and Oprah Winfrey enters.  We all applaud in recognition of a celebrity.  Then, President Obama enters.  We all stand in deference to a dignitary.  Shortly thereafter, “Pacquiao” Manny enters.  We all pump our fists in the air and shout deafening “Woofs!” in adulating cheers to a sports superstar.  Finally, Jesus enters.  We all reverently kneel in worship.  Why?  Only the Lord God is worthy of worship—not a celebrity or a dignitary, not even “Pacquiao” (by his own admission).

The far-reaching impact of “Pacquiao” has not escaped my personal experience.  I freeze in suspense whenever he steps into the ring.  I jump in exuberance when he scores a win and with him and all Filipinos, my spirit basks in national honor.  Yet, I’m convinced that the biggest impact of “Pacquiao” in our world is his unashamed and emphatic testimony that “the chief end of man is to worship God.”