'You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. 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.’
(1 Corinthians 9:24-25 MSG)
What sport would you like to compete in if you could have been an athlete at the Olympic Games?
As well as watching the Olympics themselves, it is interesting to see television programmes that give us something of the back stories of the athletes and how they have prepared for their event. Most athletes have had to overcome extremely difficult circumstances; this may be especially true for some Paralympians. However, for each athlete there is a strong sense of commitment to their sport, as to be in with any chance of winning, there must be dedication and self-sacrifice in terms of their training and diet.
Sometimes we find it hard to stay committed to something we have decided to do. Lots of gym memberships go unused, garments are half sewn or knitted, and new weight loss goals are given up when the cakes are passed round! However, we all know that if we really want to do something, we cannot give up at the first hurdle, but rather we must be determined to achieve whatever it is we set out to do.
In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul says the Christian life is like a race that we should each run with determination in order to win an eternal gold medal. We know that there are lots of hurdles, injuries and detours in life that can easily take us off track, but God has promised to be with us always. We can trust in him to guide us safely to the finish line.
In 1 Timothy 4:8, Paul also writes: ‘
Exercise daily in God – no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.’ (MSG)
May we all live spiritually fit lives as we daily seek God in everything we do, so each of us is assured that a gold medal awaits us in Heaven, one that won’t tarnish or fade, but that is gold for all eternity.
