Olympic theme song and well up with pride for our country and athletes? I don’t think it is the events themselves. In fact, I would venture to guess that most of us have watched little if any ice skating, speed skating, slope style, luge, or curling over the last 2 years. Yet, if you are like our family, the Olympics have become our “go to” show during dinner and in the evenings.
I am struck by the number of life lessons that can be learned
in just one evening of Olympic competition. Every evening seems to be filled
with stories of sportsmanship, patriotism, teamwork, and discipline. In a day and age where most of the programs on
television are inappropriate for my young children, I love that they can rally
behind an event that in my opinion stands for something special. I know that
with each Olympics comes some controversy, but there is the opportunity to
stand together to cheer on our fellow man. The commercials alone are enough to
bring you to tears and well up with pride at the stories of determination and
perseverance.
My girls are getting to see the agony of defeat and the sweet
thrill of victory. They are getting to see that sometimes, things aren’t fair.
People can work all of their lives chasing a dream that never comes true. They
can also spend their lives chasing a dream that is finally realized despite all
of the obstacles in their way. We find
ourselves routing for the underdog, crying for the heartbroken, cringing at the
crashes, and cheering for the victors.
And yes, lessons can still be learned from the athletes that
don’t display the levels of sportsmanship we would hope to see.
The Blame Gamers – those who try to
point the finger and blame the weather, the slope, the other competitors, or
anything else they can to help navigate the disappointment.
The Entitled – those who think they
deserve it more than everyone else and aren’t happy with any medal but the
gold.
The Havic Hopefuls – those who
secretly (or openly) hope that the other team will fall, get hurt, or make a
mistake that will give them the advantage.
God created each of these athletes with amazing abilities.
Whether they are using their gifts for God’s glory or their own, we are
reminded that God has called each of us as believers to run the race to receive
the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
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.
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.
2 Timothy 2:5
Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
I know I will never
win an Olympic medal, but I am fully confident that my prize will be far
greater! I may never stand on the podium in front of millions of people and hear the National Anthem play, but
I look forward to that amazing day when I will sing with the angels in
the presence of my KING!
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