You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.
I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Msg
It’s time again for the Winter Olympics, and this year there is controversy about whether we should be participating because of where they are being held. And although it’s totally understandable you can’t help but think about the athletes who have trained during a very difficult time knowing they may not even get a chance to compete. But although limited, many of them are able to inspite of great odds and perhaps we can learn from them.
As we watch them participate in the sports, hearing the life stories behind the athletes are inspiring. Many of them have overcome great obstacles in their lives. Some overcame physical hindrances, others emotional, and still others just challenging life circumstances. But all the competitors had to become disciplined physically and in their thinking. They had a vision of what they wanted to achieve and they determined in their mind what they were going to have to do to achieve that goal. It was going to take sacrifice of time and comfort, money and effort beyond anything they’ve ever experienced all so they could get a chance to win the gold, silver or bronze medals. The level of discipline these athletes achieve is staggering to most of us but the results are worth it. For most of them even if they don’t win a medal, just being able to compete especially after the past two years on this level against other such fierce competitors is an honor and the dream of a lifetime. But even if they win a medal or set a record we can also see how very temporary it all is.
Paul reminds us in Corinthians that our spiritual life is much like that of an athlete. We need to be disciplined spiritually, to spend time in prayer, reading the Bible, then following its principles, studying passages, knowing what the Lord wants of us and then doing it to the best of our ability. We can just do the bare minimum to get by, or we can achieve more than we ever thought we could through the power of the Holy Spirit and determining to do our best. Except we’re not competing against one another, we are in a race against the devil and his cohorts who are trying to hinder us, make us think we’re losing and disqualify us. But we already have the victory becuase Jesus has already won! Now all we have to do is participate with the best of our God given ability in excellence and receive a victors crown for all eternity.
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