(The following thoughts and scriptures, written following the Olympic Games a number of years ago, are just as relevant today, especially since we've just witnessed the Salt Lake City Winter Games.)
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible" (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
The Games have been over for a few weeks. Our lives are back to normal. The athletes are at home preparing for the next Olympics; working; adjusting to retirement, the sudden loss of privacy or notoriety, or just normalcy. Many memories of these Games remain: The Canadians winning gold medals in both men's and women's hockey; the pairs figure-skating flap between the Russians and the Canadians; women winning the gold in bobsledding; a total of 35 medals for the US team, which previously had held no more than 13. Reflecting on these events brings to mind a number of scenes from past Olympics, as well as lessons we can learn from them.
- Humility: I remember a man who was to run the 100-meter dash in the track-and-field event. He was disqualified because of two false starts. Instead of humbly exiting the field, he put on a childish display of "I want my way, and you're not going to make me leave until I get it!" After some minutes, he finally left the area so that the race could proceed. But his total lack of humility didn't end there. Immediately following the race, he reappeared to parade around the track, shirt down to his waist, as though he had won. I took careful notice of the others who had raced, but didn't win, and noticed a vast difference. They sadly, but humbly and honorably, accepted the results of the race. They had done their best; in that, there was no shame. They could hold their heads high! They were humble.
Our Father desires that we do our best in the race that is set before us. And in Christ Jesus, there are no losers. It does not matter if we are the best at preaching, hospitality, singing, giving, or whatever; so long as we do our best. And Jesus forcefully reminds each of us: "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do" (Luke 17:10). Thus, it is also written, "... be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." (1 Peter 5:5-7) - Determination: I remember a woman in the gymnastics competition who was determined not to give up, no matter what happened! She had sprained her ankle in competition; but she did not allow this injury to stop her from helping her team win the Gold. And when they did, she was there with them to receive her well-earned medal. What I witnessed was a true team effort, with every member giving his all, with great determination; but especially was it evident in this one woman. Yes, she was small in stature, but her determined heart was as large as was David's when he faced Goliath.
A determined faith can "move mountains." No obstacle is too tough; no valley too deep; no mountain too high; no trial too severe to conquer. A determined faith can overcome the world.
Thus it is written, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, our faith." (1 John 5:3-4) Also, we are "Kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: ...receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls." {1 Peter 5:7-9} - Patience: Along with everything I've written, I also reflected on the word patience. Without it, many would not make it to the Games. Patience is born of life's trials, tribulations, anguishes, and more. It is born of the life experience, with all its facets. It is not easy to attain, and more often than not, we must constantly work and practice to learn, often the hard way, to be patient. Olympic athletes MUST have patience, or failure is certain.
Peter expressed it this way: "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (love). For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." {2 Peter 1:5-11}
The Olympic athlete has a formula for winning that includes patience, humility, determination, and many other desirable qualities not listed here. Peter gave we who are Christians the formula for winning the race to inherit the crown of righteousness.
"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. {2 Timothy 4:6-8} Paul gave a gold-medal performance, but what he won is more precious than a gold medal. The Olympic athlete trains daily to run one race.
We must run the race daily because we are training for heaven. And as we run, that is where we need to focus. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Him- self, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." {Hebrews 12:1-3}
With enough patience, determination, and humbleness, we too can be champions. Not just on a medal stand for one day, but for eternity! Our Lord has already secured the victory for us. We must take hold of the crown. "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." {1 Corinthians 15:57,58}