The Olympic Games (Part 1)

I don’t know how many of you have been paying attention to the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer, but I’ve been able to watch a bit. I’ve always enjoyed the summer games. However, I came to thinking about the sense of accomplishment athletes feel when they have won their event and are receiving their gold medal. Now for some it doesn’t seem as moving as for others. Michael Phelps can’t seem to loose any event he enters, winning more golds than anyone in history and smashing countless world records. It’s hard to imagine what really is going through his head when stands on that podium again and again. But for others, you can’t get away from the sense that this is an immensely meaningful point in their life.

No matter who the athlete is, you know he or she has been training for this – and training hard. For at least the last four years, they have disciplined themselves beyond what most of us would think is normal. From strict dieting, countless hours in the gym, and exhausting physical regimens, they have trained their body to the utmost of their ability.

And now, they’ve made to the Olympic Games, and the world stage is set. All their life energies and expenditures culminate in this one event. The last for years come rushing into their minds. This is it. ‘This is what they’ve been training for and waiting for all their life.’ They’ve practiced self-denial and laid aside every weight in order to be the best. And now they block out all other distractions that might keep them from focusing on that one goal.

Needless to say, they don’t all win. But they all try to. And when they do… well it can be electrifying.

Sometimes I look at their faces and wonder what’s going inside. All that hard work, all that dedication… Now it’s over, it’s done. They’ve won. They walk onto that stage. Lights are flashing as the anthem begins to play. The whole world is watching, but they’re on top of the world. Their coaches, who have invested so much in them, look on with joy and pride. A father lovingly embraces his child. A mother cries tears of joy. Adoring fans scream in adoration. The crowd erupts in a chorus of recognition and congratulation. The whole world is screaming ‘well done’ – even from a millions miles away.

Then I got to thinking…

“They do [this] to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Cor 9:25b, emphasis mine)

More to follow…