Medal-Dry
Now the blame game begins.
Due to our dismal performance in the Olympics (for the nth time), people are clamoring for sporting officials’ heads to roll. Lawmakers have filed resolutions in both Houses of Congress for an investigation to be conducted on why we performed poorly in the Games. (Read: Expect more grandstanding in the next few weeks.) Yes, we won some medals in Wushu. But it is just a demonstration event, which did not even dent our medal standing.
Was it the lack of funding? Could it be the want of a comprehensive sports program? Or, politicians, instead of sportspeople, running whatever sports program we have, if ever there is really a program at all? Genetics, perhaps? (Some may even claim that the referees cheated in favor of our opponents.) We are grasping and gasping for answers.
In heaven, if ever we fail to get a crown or a reward from the Lord, we have no one else to blame but ourselves. God gave us everything we need to win the race He had set before us. (Again, let me clarify that salvation is a gift, not a reward. Works cannot save us. Only faith in Christ can save us. But our works after we believed will be rewarded.) First Corinthians 9:25 tell us how we can avoid ending up medal-dry: “Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” (The Message)
Let’s give life our best shot. Verses 26-27 shows Paul’s attitude: “I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.” There is no demonstration event in real life. We are in an actual race. We are not competing against each other, though. Every believer has a chance to win that eternal gold medal. So, let us live for God and serve Him with the best motives and the best efforts.
Brethren, how’s your medal standing?
Due to our dismal performance in the Olympics (for the nth time), people are clamoring for sporting officials’ heads to roll. Lawmakers have filed resolutions in both Houses of Congress for an investigation to be conducted on why we performed poorly in the Games. (Read: Expect more grandstanding in the next few weeks.) Yes, we won some medals in Wushu. But it is just a demonstration event, which did not even dent our medal standing.
Was it the lack of funding? Could it be the want of a comprehensive sports program? Or, politicians, instead of sportspeople, running whatever sports program we have, if ever there is really a program at all? Genetics, perhaps? (Some may even claim that the referees cheated in favor of our opponents.) We are grasping and gasping for answers.
In heaven, if ever we fail to get a crown or a reward from the Lord, we have no one else to blame but ourselves. God gave us everything we need to win the race He had set before us. (Again, let me clarify that salvation is a gift, not a reward. Works cannot save us. Only faith in Christ can save us. But our works after we believed will be rewarded.) First Corinthians 9:25 tell us how we can avoid ending up medal-dry: “Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” (The Message)
Let’s give life our best shot. Verses 26-27 shows Paul’s attitude: “I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.” There is no demonstration event in real life. We are in an actual race. We are not competing against each other, though. Every believer has a chance to win that eternal gold medal. So, let us live for God and serve Him with the best motives and the best efforts.
Brethren, how’s your medal standing?
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