I have loved the Olympics this year! I love the patriotism. Let’s face it! In today’s world climate, the USA does not have the great respect she once had. It has been awesome to watch the athletes stand, hand over heart, with eyes fixed on the Stars & Stripes. With sometimes tears and most probably goosebumps, they sing along with those inspiring words. Awesome!
But I’ve also loved this year’s Olympics for another reason. Let’s face it again! In today’s world climate, Christianity is being persecuted. The belief in Jesus as a Creator and Savior is scoffed at. So it has been amazing to me that in this climate, Christian Olympic athletes have been able to show and speak their faith.
You have the divers David Boudia and Steele Johnson reminding us that their (and our) identity is not in our talents or what we do, but it is in Christ. You have the swimmer Maya Dirado. In an interview, Maya was asked how her faith had shaped her and her swimming career. Her answer, “Knowing that I’m a child of God and that his love for me is determined by nothing I can achieve or do on my own has given me a quiet confidence.” You have Simone Manuel giving “All glory to God.” There’s the Final Five – those crazy-awesome little gymnasts.They openly speak about their faith and share it on their social media. And then there is Abbey D’Agostino. She is the runner who collided with another runner and they both crashed down on the track. Instead of just running on, Abbey helped the other girl up and they both finished the race. In an article she explained how her faith transitioned from something in her head to something she could really feel in her heart. She said, “I wanted to run for something that was secure, and that was God. Something so much greater than me and something I can’t control.” There are other Christian Olympians letting their light shine and it has all been amazing to see.
Lastly, I’ve loved this Olympics because it has spurred on personal thinking and studying in me.
The Olympic games have been around for a very long time. Our favorite author, Saul-turned-Paul, alluded to the games several times in his writings. I learned the athletes in Paul’s day would compete in foot races, wrestling, boxing, throwing the discus and javelin, the long jump, chariot racing, and even poetry reading and singing! Who knew! There is evidence women participated in these games as well. The athletes swore to follow the rules and not cheat. In Paul’s day, there were no gold, silver and bronze medals. There was no second-place award. Winning was everything.
So I’ve enjoyed rereading Paul’s passages that have Olympic flavor, but mean so much more!
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 someone running aimlessly. I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me. My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me. The task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philemon 3:13-14
This final passage was written from prison while Paul was waiting to be executed.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
What an awesome statement! Talk about goosebumps!
Olympic prize money will be spent
Gold medals will gather dust
But in store for us there is a crown
That will never dim or rust.
The just Umpire will face us
After this race is run
And He will place it on our heads
And joyously say, “well done!”
(Totally a gold medal poem…ok…maybe a bronze…)