Whether you are a former athlete, a current competitor, a future participant the Olympics bring the world together in a unique way: Uniting a global sports audience.
I find that I am captivated by watching athletes at the top of their sport. From the music and artistry of ice dancing, to the focus and intensity of biathlon, even the thrills and spills of slope-style snowboarding events -all have me on the edge of my seat.
I sometimes find myself speculating: Could I have ever been that disciplined? Do my kids have what it takes to be an Olympian? How do the parents find the strength it takes to see their kids struggle through the pain, injury, disappointments it takes to make it to the top? How does one dedicate themselves so fully to one singular cause?
That last question is the one that leads me to ponder most on this chilly evening. What I am dedicating myself to? Am I being intentional in my training? Am I putting aside other things for this singular aim? Am I working toward securing the Gold?
In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he states, “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.” (1 Corinthians 9:24– NIV). Focus on the goal. Keep the prize in sight.
What is the prize you are talking about, Stacey? Great question. The Prize is Heaven. The Prize is Salvation. The Prize is Eternal Life (Philippians 3:14). Can I devote myself singularly to this cause? I’d like to say “yes”; but that wouldn’t be honest. I have a hard time focusing on much of anything for an extended period. I am a multi-tasking mama. I live to move quickly from thing to thing and I move quickly from thing to thing to live.
Well, then. I rely not on the score of the judges. I rely not on my personal coaching. I rely not on my own talent, dedication or luck. I rely solely on the grace of Jesus. “Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Hebrews 12:1-3– Message).
Keeping my eye on the Prize,
Stacey
Beautiful Savior, Beautiful Women 