1. The Olympics brings out some amazing things in people- the hard work, the dedication, the singularity of focus that these athletes show is truly inspiring. These are qualities that Christians must have in their walk with the Lord. In 1 Corinthians 9:25, Paul states, "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."
These athletes go through so much training, discipline, eating the right foods, backbreaking workouts, etc- for a prize that doesn't last. How much more should Christians labor and endeavor for a crown that lasts forever?
2. Sprinters have it much easier than distance runners.
Sprinters have to be focused for a few seconds. Quick burst of energy and they are done. Distance runners have to stay in the game mentally much longer. Minutes, even hours, of pushing themselves mentally and physically.
Which is the Christian life more like? A sprint or a marathon? All too often, people view faith in Jesus as a sprint. They start off strong, but fade after the first initial burst. Around 80% of people who come forward in evangelical rallies leave the church and their faith within a few years of their conversion experience.
What the church needs is distance runners- endurance athletes who stay in the game mentally and physically to the end. A sprinter is exciting to watch, but a Christian whose faith is a sprint will do nothing to further the kingdom of God.
3. Pride and arrogance is ugly.
It never fails- someone who has accomplished an amazing feat of athleticism faces the camera and struts, posturing like a peacock before the cameras, proclaiming his or her greatness to the world. Not all athletes do this, not by a long shot. However, I've seen my fair share of arrogance strutting around the track or the field or the pool or whatever venue the athlete succeeds in. And it is ugly. Very ugly.
I am actually fearful for these athletes, because pride goes before a fall. These athletes are one pulled hamstring away from disqualification, one knee injury away from never running again, one ankle sprain away from going home. Their illusion of world domination is just that- an illusion. When the fall comes, it will not be pretty.
It is much better for an athlete to perform a world-record winning performance and be just as excited as if someone else had done it. I love watching the interviews with the athletes that are so grateful and excited just to be there that it doesn't matter who wins. They can't believe the opportunity that is before them, and they are as giddy as a child on Christmas morning just to be on the field of competition. Those are true athletes.
4. People are people, no matter what country they are from.
Thousands of miles and cultural difference don't change the basic humanity God has given us all. All of the athletes have sacrificed, gone the extra mile, and worked for where they are. All of them have families and friends in the stands cheering them on. All of them want the same thing- to do their best in representing their countries to bring home the gold.
I love it. In my travels to other countries, I have found that people are people. In every country I've been in, people love to laugh. They all have the same basic needs. They all need respect. The Olympics shows the very best that is in humanity, and for that I am very grateful.
5. Humans are intrinsically drawn to greatness.
Why do we like to watch the best? Why do people flock to the stands to watch the fastest men and women in the world? Why do people crowd into stadiums to watch the best tennis players, the best soccer players, the best swimmers, the best gymnasts, etc?
It's because we love to watch the best. It is human nature to enjoy greatness. We enjoy great works of art, great feats of athleticism, great stories, and great works of creation. And that is no accident.
God made us in His image. We were created in the image of greatness. However, in the fall in Genesis 3, we tarnished that image by allowing sin to enter the world. In every one of us, there is a sense of loss and a desire to see that greatness once again. God uses that desire to see greatness to draw us to Him. More people have become believers in God after seeing the beauty of the Grand Canyon and the thundering might of Niagara Falls than they have because of carefully crafted theological arguments.
We were created to desire and enjoy greatness. As great as the Olympic games are, they are nothing compared to the greatness of God. The same pleasure and satisfaction and enjoyment we get from watching the best athletes in the world compete is what allows us to enjoy God. Realize today that the reason you enjoy watching the best in the world is that God placed that desire within you so that you might search out His greatness and enjoy Him forever.
These athletes go through so much training, discipline, eating the right foods, backbreaking workouts, etc- for a prize that doesn't last. How much more should Christians labor and endeavor for a crown that lasts forever?
2. Sprinters have it much easier than distance runners.
Sprinters have to be focused for a few seconds. Quick burst of energy and they are done. Distance runners have to stay in the game mentally much longer. Minutes, even hours, of pushing themselves mentally and physically.
Which is the Christian life more like? A sprint or a marathon? All too often, people view faith in Jesus as a sprint. They start off strong, but fade after the first initial burst. Around 80% of people who come forward in evangelical rallies leave the church and their faith within a few years of their conversion experience.
What the church needs is distance runners- endurance athletes who stay in the game mentally and physically to the end. A sprinter is exciting to watch, but a Christian whose faith is a sprint will do nothing to further the kingdom of God.
3. Pride and arrogance is ugly.
It never fails- someone who has accomplished an amazing feat of athleticism faces the camera and struts, posturing like a peacock before the cameras, proclaiming his or her greatness to the world. Not all athletes do this, not by a long shot. However, I've seen my fair share of arrogance strutting around the track or the field or the pool or whatever venue the athlete succeeds in. And it is ugly. Very ugly.
I am actually fearful for these athletes, because pride goes before a fall. These athletes are one pulled hamstring away from disqualification, one knee injury away from never running again, one ankle sprain away from going home. Their illusion of world domination is just that- an illusion. When the fall comes, it will not be pretty.
It is much better for an athlete to perform a world-record winning performance and be just as excited as if someone else had done it. I love watching the interviews with the athletes that are so grateful and excited just to be there that it doesn't matter who wins. They can't believe the opportunity that is before them, and they are as giddy as a child on Christmas morning just to be on the field of competition. Those are true athletes.
4. People are people, no matter what country they are from.
Thousands of miles and cultural difference don't change the basic humanity God has given us all. All of the athletes have sacrificed, gone the extra mile, and worked for where they are. All of them have families and friends in the stands cheering them on. All of them want the same thing- to do their best in representing their countries to bring home the gold.
I love it. In my travels to other countries, I have found that people are people. In every country I've been in, people love to laugh. They all have the same basic needs. They all need respect. The Olympics shows the very best that is in humanity, and for that I am very grateful.
5. Humans are intrinsically drawn to greatness.
Why do we like to watch the best? Why do people flock to the stands to watch the fastest men and women in the world? Why do people crowd into stadiums to watch the best tennis players, the best soccer players, the best swimmers, the best gymnasts, etc?
It's because we love to watch the best. It is human nature to enjoy greatness. We enjoy great works of art, great feats of athleticism, great stories, and great works of creation. And that is no accident.
God made us in His image. We were created in the image of greatness. However, in the fall in Genesis 3, we tarnished that image by allowing sin to enter the world. In every one of us, there is a sense of loss and a desire to see that greatness once again. God uses that desire to see greatness to draw us to Him. More people have become believers in God after seeing the beauty of the Grand Canyon and the thundering might of Niagara Falls than they have because of carefully crafted theological arguments.
We were created to desire and enjoy greatness. As great as the Olympic games are, they are nothing compared to the greatness of God. The same pleasure and satisfaction and enjoyment we get from watching the best athletes in the world compete is what allows us to enjoy God. Realize today that the reason you enjoy watching the best in the world is that God placed that desire within you so that you might search out His greatness and enjoy Him forever.
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