For the past five days I have really enjoyed watching the 29th Olympiad from Beijing. The opening ceremony was nothing less than spectacular. The number of world records that have been broken in the swimming competition alone has been amazing. I have most enjoyed the gymnastics. Wether your favorite sport is swimming, diving, gymnastics, track and field, or something else there is one constant that is found in them all. We are watching young men and women who have trained very hard to get to where they are and every one of them are going for gold.The book of First Corinthians is written in the context of the Isthmian Games. In I Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul encourages us to run to win. He goes on to say that participants in the races must, in all things, exercise self-control. And they do it to win a crown that is perishable. However, the believer is running for a crown that is imperishable. Therefore, Paul says he will do whatever it takes so that he "will not be disqualified for the prize" (1 Cor 9:27). Paul says he will stay focused and will discipline himself so to win the race. We must likewise understand the Christian race is not for the weak. Our goal is not to drift through life in ease but to accomplish the task for which we have been called.
As you continue to watch the 29th Olympic Games over the next couple of weeks, keep in mind all of the training, self-discipline, and hard work that has been put in by these athletes over the past many years. Then ask Jesus to give you self-discipline as you run for Him. Olympic athletes not only compete against one another, but they also compete before judges. One day we shall all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Crowns will be given. Therefore, run to win! Run for the gold!
Just a thought!
