Finishing Well
One of my favorite aspects of the Olympics is the human interest
stories the network produces on many of the competing athletes. If
the athlete being spotlighted has had to endure personal struggles
and challenges to make it to the Olympics, I often find myself
getting caught up in that person’s situation and cheering for that
athlete during his or her event(s).
During the 2012 Summer Olympics, I watched a segment the first
Sunday morning about a Kenyan woman who, at the time, was
participating in the women’s marathon race through the rainy streets
of London. Once again my heart strings were pulled by her
circumstances, and I so wanted to see her win the gold. In the end,
she earned the silver medal, finishing just 5 seconds behind the
gold-medal winner.
While watching her finish, I couldn’t help but make application to
the interest our God the Father has in each of our circumstances. So
many people have a negative view of God, thinking of Him as a task
master who is always judging and waiting to punish us if we get out
of line. While He is a God of judgment, He is also a very loving,
caring God who takes personal interest in every aspect of our lives.
Just as I get drawn into the personal lives of Olympians and cheer
them on, God is drawn into our personal lives and cheers us on. He
knows each of us intimately, and He loves everyone equally. Instead
of being the stern, unsympathetic God many consider Him to be, I
often view Him as my biggest cheerleader. He knows my struggles and
He knows my weaknesses. So, when it comes to the challenges of
striving to live for Him in an ungodly, corrupt environment, there
is no one on my side like He is. He wants me to succeed because it
brings Him glory when I do.
Athletes on the track make me nervous when they look backwards and
don’t keep their eyes focused on the finish line ahead. They tend to
slow down and lose momentum when they do that, quite often allowing
other runners to come dangerously close to catching up or passing
them by. Unlike the Olympics, in the race of life there are no other
competitors. It’s just me, with God running alongside supporting me
and cheering me on. So, if I don’t finish well, I have only myself
to blame, not God. My lack of accomplishment will be due to my lack
of effort, or my failure to keep my eyes on the source of my
strength, Jesus Christ. When I look back towards my past, or get
distracted by those on the sidelines or other pursuits, that causes
me to take my eyes off the goal of pleasing my Lord.
To God, I am a human interest story, and so are you. He is in the
midst of our circumstances, and He is cheering for us. But it’s not
me against you, or you against me. Our race is singularly measured
by how well each of us accomplishes our purpose for being created,
which is to bring Him pleasure. (Revelation 4:11)
Lastly, I can assure you that the Olympic gold, silver and bronze
medals of this world are dull and worthless compared to the eternal
riches and rewards our Heavenly Father has promised us for running a
faithful race here on earth. So let us press on toward the goal to
win the prize for which God has called us. (Philippians 3:14)
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