Running for Gold
Four years of intense training and it all comes down to this moment. Less than ten seconds to show the whole world if you have what it takes. Although every person has set their eyes on the prize, only one person walks away with the gold.
After the race, they interview the winner, who usually has a flag around his neck, sweat sparkling on his head, and a huge smile on his face. Still panting, he usually says something like, "This means everything to me..." or "This is the one thing I have been wanting so bad for so long..."
It is true: they have worked relentlessly through countless hours to achieve this prize, to attain this goal. This race has become the focus of their entire world. I hear them speak into the microphone their ten-second line to go along with their victory. "This is all I've ever wanted..." "I am so proud..." "This is the most unbelievable feeling in the world..."
And I think to myself, wow, that's epic - to devote all your time and effort to one race.
I have followed the Olympics fairly religiously this summer, watching it every night to hit the highlights. All this Olympic drama reminds me of Hebrews 12:1-2. Since this Scripture was the theme from camp, I have been meditating on it a lot this summer.
And then 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 is a perfect Olympic-style verse:
Like Olympic athletes, we as Christians ought to devote everything we are - our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths - into running the one race that matters. But unlike the Olympics, our race is not a ten-second blip that is here and gone. We are in continual training for an endurance race that will lead us right to the gates of heaven. We don't race for a gold medal that will only be given to one, but for a crown that can never be taken away. And when the crowd asks us why we do what we do, we tell them, "This means everything to me! This life in Christ - this is all I've ever wanted."
After the race, they interview the winner, who usually has a flag around his neck, sweat sparkling on his head, and a huge smile on his face. Still panting, he usually says something like, "This means everything to me..." or "This is the one thing I have been wanting so bad for so long..."
It is true: they have worked relentlessly through countless hours to achieve this prize, to attain this goal. This race has become the focus of their entire world. I hear them speak into the microphone their ten-second line to go along with their victory. "This is all I've ever wanted..." "I am so proud..." "This is the most unbelievable feeling in the world..."
And I think to myself, wow, that's epic - to devote all your time and effort to one race.
I have followed the Olympics fairly religiously this summer, watching it every night to hit the highlights. All this Olympic drama reminds me of Hebrews 12:1-2. Since this Scripture was the theme from camp, I have been meditating on it a lot this summer.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
And then 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 is a perfect Olympic-style verse:
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
Like Olympic athletes, we as Christians ought to devote everything we are - our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths - into running the one race that matters. But unlike the Olympics, our race is not a ten-second blip that is here and gone. We are in continual training for an endurance race that will lead us right to the gates of heaven. We don't race for a gold medal that will only be given to one, but for a crown that can never be taken away. And when the crowd asks us why we do what we do, we tell them, "This means everything to me! This life in Christ - this is all I've ever wanted."
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