I don’t know about you, but for two weeks I spent a lot of time in front of the TV watching the Olympics, and two things stood out to me.
The focus of the athletes and the fervor of the spectators—those in the venues and those watching remotely.
It didn’t matter which sport I was watching—track and field, volleyball, table tennis—the look on the athletes was always the same: concentrated focus on the task at hand. Too many years, too much pain, too much sacrifice was at stake. They were determined to win. For some that meant a medal. For all it could be a personal best.
The spectators were no less committed. As the athletes prepared, readied themselves—silence. Once the action began—an eruption of cheers and encouragement. No matter which country, the reaction was the same—unadulterated desire and support for their athlete to prevail.
It is no wonder that Paul uses athletic competition to convey the physical, mental, and emotional journey of the Christian.
I Corinthians 9:24: Run as though to get the prize.
As Christians, we are all in the race. And what exactly is the race? It is three-fold:
1. to pursue holiness--But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (I Peter 1:15-16).
2. to love--“Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (I John 4:7).
3. and to spread the word about God’s gift of salvation--“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
So let us be as focused on our goal, as those athletes are on theirs.
Then in Romans, Paul reminds us to have that same unadulterated fervor—for our race and for the success of all of those in that same race:
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:9-11).
And let us consider how we may spur one another one toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).
Though the Olympics have come to an end, let us not lose the focus and fervor in our own race that the Olympics so beautifully manifest.
The focus of the athletes and the fervor of the spectators—those in the venues and those watching remotely.
It didn’t matter which sport I was watching—track and field, volleyball, table tennis—the look on the athletes was always the same: concentrated focus on the task at hand. Too many years, too much pain, too much sacrifice was at stake. They were determined to win. For some that meant a medal. For all it could be a personal best.
The spectators were no less committed. As the athletes prepared, readied themselves—silence. Once the action began—an eruption of cheers and encouragement. No matter which country, the reaction was the same—unadulterated desire and support for their athlete to prevail.
It is no wonder that Paul uses athletic competition to convey the physical, mental, and emotional journey of the Christian.
I Corinthians 9:24: Run as though to get the prize.
As Christians, we are all in the race. And what exactly is the race? It is three-fold:
1. to pursue holiness--But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (I Peter 1:15-16).
2. to love--“Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (I John 4:7).
3. and to spread the word about God’s gift of salvation--“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
So let us be as focused on our goal, as those athletes are on theirs.
Then in Romans, Paul reminds us to have that same unadulterated fervor—for our race and for the success of all of those in that same race:
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:9-11).
And let us consider how we may spur one another one toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).
Though the Olympics have come to an end, let us not lose the focus and fervor in our own race that the Olympics so beautifully manifest.
RSS Feed