Olympic Courage – Life Courage

In the past Winter Olympics I was impressed with the hindrances athletes overcame: A skier who overcame years of poor performance. Another skier who competed despite a knee injury. A skater who skated her life’s best right after her mother died. Lugers who slid despite the fact that one of them had just died on the track. All won medals. And then there was the teenager who became the best figure skater in history.

Beyond who got what medals, it was the athletes’ courage that stood out, even if they didn’t win. Their determination to withstand defeat, injury, fear, and expectations of others—and do what they did anyway—was awe-inspiring. They were also willing to push to their limits and court disaster in their effort to win, which is why we saw some horrific crashes.

Olympians do it for gold, silver, and bronze disks that hang from their necks and give them lifelong prestige and lucrative endorsements—and because thy love the sport. But all that aside, they are models of a purposeful life. Whether they win anything or not, they give their whole lives to what they do.

The Bible compares our lives to Olympic races: “Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one,” 1 Corinthians 9:25 NET. The reference is to the crown of laurel leaves that winners wore before the days of medals. In contrast, the crown God offers is eternal.

I’m convinced that we can all have God-given purposes worth giving our whole lives to—especially if they include something eternal. Doing this takes courage and determination, and maybe lifelong patience and persistence. To what are you giving, or might you give, your life?

PRAYER:  My Eternal Lord and Life Coach, spur me to become all You have created me to become. Lead me to give my all to my life’s race that You have called me to run, no matter what my obstacles may be. Open my eyes to see the world with Your eyes.

“Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win. Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run uncertainly or box like one who hits only air. Instead I subdue my body and make it my slave, so that after preaching to others I myself will not be disqualified,” 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, NET.

Today’s devotion is by Peter Lundell, author of Prayer Power. A rising new voice on connecting with God, he is a pastor, Bible college teacher, and conference speaker. Visit him at www.PeterLundell.com for his inspirational “Connections” and free downloads of articles, parables, short stories, and book chapters.