If I mention the names Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White or Apolo Ohno, many
of you will know of whom I speak. These are American athletes
competing in the Winter Olympics, now being held in Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada. The three are favorites to win medals in their
respective sports. Other names will likely become familiar as the
games complete their two-week circuit.
Though the competitors come from many different countries and
backgrounds, they all have at least one thing in common: They're
hoping to win the gold medal, symbolic of being the best athlete in
the world in their sport.
Winning the gold means more than bragging rights, though. Gold
medalists are often the recipients of financial bonuses, too, as
companies seek these famous people to endorse their products.
Understandably, the Olympics are fiercely competitive and only one
person will be given the ultimate award.
The apostle Paul was surely aware of the Olympics. The Greeks were
the first to hold such sporting festivals, dating back as far as 776
BC and lasting until 393 AD The ancient Olympics differed from our
modern version in many respects, but the primary motivation has always
been the same: to be the best and to receive the ultimate award.
There's no evidence that Paul was an athlete, but he employed the
image to teach important lessons. He wrote, for example, in
Philippians 3:13,14 about his pursuit of a prize: "Brethren, I do not
count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are
ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God
in Christ Jesus."
Envision the scene in our worldly context: The competition has ended
and the results have been verified. As the audience waits
expectantly, a voice calls out a name. An athlete steps forward and
is honored as the best of the competitors. In Greece a laurel wreath
was placed upon the victor's head. For days to come, he was
recognized for his accomplishments. That's the vision Paul had, only
on a higher level.
In his last writing Paul turned again to this goal: "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 4:7,8).
I have no delusions about being an athlete, much less being an Olympic
gold medalist. But if Paul was right (and I know he was), I have
excellent prospects of being given the ultimate award by the Ultimate
Judge. As I run the race (life) according to the rules He has given
in His word, I have all the motivation I need. One day my name will
be called, and I'll nervously bow before the King as He places the
crown of righteousness on my head. And you can be right there beside
me!
of you will know of whom I speak. These are American athletes
competing in the Winter Olympics, now being held in Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada. The three are favorites to win medals in their
respective sports. Other names will likely become familiar as the
games complete their two-week circuit.
Though the competitors come from many different countries and
backgrounds, they all have at least one thing in common: They're
hoping to win the gold medal, symbolic of being the best athlete in
the world in their sport.
Winning the gold means more than bragging rights, though. Gold
medalists are often the recipients of financial bonuses, too, as
companies seek these famous people to endorse their products.
Understandably, the Olympics are fiercely competitive and only one
person will be given the ultimate award.
The apostle Paul was surely aware of the Olympics. The Greeks were
the first to hold such sporting festivals, dating back as far as 776
BC and lasting until 393 AD The ancient Olympics differed from our
modern version in many respects, but the primary motivation has always
been the same: to be the best and to receive the ultimate award.
There's no evidence that Paul was an athlete, but he employed the
image to teach important lessons. He wrote, for example, in
Philippians 3:13,14 about his pursuit of a prize: "Brethren, I do not
count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are
ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God
in Christ Jesus."
Envision the scene in our worldly context: The competition has ended
and the results have been verified. As the audience waits
expectantly, a voice calls out a name. An athlete steps forward and
is honored as the best of the competitors. In Greece a laurel wreath
was placed upon the victor's head. For days to come, he was
recognized for his accomplishments. That's the vision Paul had, only
on a higher level.
In his last writing Paul turned again to this goal: "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 4:7,8).
I have no delusions about being an athlete, much less being an Olympic
gold medalist. But if Paul was right (and I know he was), I have
excellent prospects of being given the ultimate award by the Ultimate
Judge. As I run the race (life) according to the rules He has given
in His word, I have all the motivation I need. One day my name will
be called, and I'll nervously bow before the King as He places the
crown of righteousness on my head. And you can be right there beside
me!
Timothy D. Hall.
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