Olympic Glory

Medals

The Olympics recently ended. I’m not really sure who won in almost any of the events. But I do know that the goal of the athletes was to win the gold. These competitors have worked hard for years to prepare their bodies and hone their skills so that they could win the gold metal. If not the gold then they would hope to win the silver or the bronze. But why? Couldn’t they just buy that weight in gold or silver or bronze and have it cast like an Olympic medal? We all know that the answer is no. The reason is because the medal would not signify the accomplishment. It is not actually the medal that these athletes want but rather the recognition that they won the competition. They want everyone to know that they are the best at their particular event.

For most of these men and women the sport that they are competing in is not just a random event but the center of their lives. They love it. They pursue excellence in this activity not just to win, but because they love the game. Whether they run on a track, swim in a pool, or play on a court, these people love to do this sport, and that is why they have chosen to dedicate the hours of training necessary to become the most elite players in the world.

Pleasure

In Psalm 147:10, we are told that God does not delight in the strength of the horse or the legs of a man. It is interesting that often the things that we think should be so impressive, and are impressive to the carnal man, are not esteemed by God at all. I don’t think the Psalmist’s point is that God doesn’t enjoy seeing His people created in His image using the skills and abilities that he has given us. Rather, the next verse makes it clear that what brings God pleasure is something deeper and less superficial. In verse 11, the Scripture says that Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love.

I think, the point is that God cares far more about the disposition of our soul than the strength of our body. This may be why God is willing to allow His people to endure very hard physical trials for the sake of their sanctification. God never spoils His children but instead He disciplines (Hebrews 12:4-14) and disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) us to real godliness and maturity (2 Peter 3:11-13).

Yahweh is more concerned with the state of our hearts than the awards on our shelves. Prosperity rarely teaches us faith and hope, but hard times and difficult seasons do help us to discern where our trust is truly focused. If we never walk through the valley of the shadow of death, how will we learn the comfort of His rod and staff? God loves us enough to use even very hard things to reveal the depths of His love for us!

Prize

The Apostle Paul when writing to the church in Corinth reminds us that we should run in such a way as to win the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). As we look around we probably see many people, even those professing Christ as Savior, walking aimlessly along the race of this mortal life. But Paul would have us to expend ourselves in an all out effort to know God and bring Him glory. We must not be those meandering along the track but those pressing forward to the high call of God (Philippians 3:12-16). There really is a heavenly prize and even though it has been won for us by the Lord Jesus Christ, we should still strive to reach it with all our strength.

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