An insight from watching the Olympics.
The Olympics are almost over, and I confess I have watched a lot of the competitions. I am a sports fan. Like many people, I enjoy watching the competitions. I also enjoy the human-interest element, and even an occasional vicarious achievement. This has even more meaning for me, because as a new Christian I was recruited by the Olympic committee to train for the next Olympic trials (no promise I would go, just a guaranteed slot in the trials). A crisis of faith caused me to turn down the spot in the program, and I confess I occasionally wonder what might have happened had I continued—especially every four years while watching others in the Olympics!
We celebrate what these people have accomplished—especially those who win! Many of them are so idolized that they are paid to associate themselves with some product in the belief (apparently well founded) that many people will buy that product simply because this athlete talked about it.
I congratulate all the Olympians for making it to the games. I hope their experience was a great one and that they have joy in it. But those of us who follow Jesus need to gain a perspective right about now—both for ourselves and for others who are young in the world and/or young in the faith. So, let me ask, what exactly are we celebrating? To be sure, we celebrate self-discipline. We celebrate the work ethic. We celebrate people dreaming and following those dreams. And hopefully we celebrate the fact that some of them even give glory to God, acknowledging it is He who gives them what they have. These are good things, but certainly not only found in the world of elite athletics.
So, what is special about these folks? Here are some examples.
They swim faster than almost anyone.
They run faster than almost anyone.
They have the skill to make a ball go into a hoop.
They can kick a ball accurately.
They can make their bodies do things we can’t.
They can dominate another person by hitting them, kicking them or grabbing them.
They can lift huge amounts of weight.
They look good.
Many of these had real world applications at one time: being able to survive in harsh conditions or defeat an enemy to protect your family. But in today’s real world, there isn’t much call for being able to kick balls, contort ourselves, or run very fast—except to do those things in competition. When I was young, I could lift a great deal of weight. Then I went to college and learned there wasn’t much call for being able to do that. (Not to mention the issues I and most other serious athletes had to deal with psychologically and spiritually.)
Disciples of Christ need a different perspective. I don’t say we should not enjoy these sports, or even celebrate the winners—for a brief time. But we do need to ask what is really important in life. We need to celebrate people actively loving others more than people bouncing balls! We need to be so serious about this that our kids and those new in the faith understand that
It is better to be able to help a friend who is struggling than to outrun them.
It is better to teach someone than to dominate them.
It is better to help strengthen a marriage than to bounce a ball.
It is better to fix someone’s car than to lift weights above our head.
It is better to set up a computer for someone than to hit a ball over a net.
It is better…well, you see my point.
The world rewards dominance, beauty, even pride. The King rejoices when we show love.
I suspect He is happier with one person who encourages a stranger than all the athletes who have ever succeeded in their sport.
Know Jesus and Be Faithful!
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