Olympic Disappointments
My wife and I just spent several of our late evenings falling asleep to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Like many around the world, we were impressed with the dominant consistency of men like Michael Phelps (the American swimmer who won 8 gold medals in 8 races) and Usain “Lightning” Bolt (the Jamaican sprinter who set 3 world records in 3 races).
Yet, equally interesting were some of the disappointments. A Cuban competitor in tae kwon do was disqualified for staying down too long and then kicked the referee in the face. He is now disqualified from international tae kwon do events for life. A Ukrainian heptathlete was stripped of her silver medal after failing a drug test. Two sprinters lost their silver and bronze medals in the 200 meter dash after stepping on a lane line.
Such disappointments remind me of 2 Timothy 2:5. Paul writes, “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” After this illustration and others, Paul says, “Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.” Clearly, Paul wanted us to learn a spiritual lesson from this earthly illustration. What could it be?
In my mind, Paul’s point is fairly clear. In athletics, we compete for a crown, medal or trophy—some type of prize. Spiritually, we aim for a home in heaven—an eternal reward far greater than any temporal prize here on earth (Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 3:1-2; 2 Peter 1:10-11). Yet, if we receive a prize in athletics we must play by the rules. Spiritually speaking, if we expect to go to heaven we better do things God’s way! We cannot live life by our own rules.
Some seem to hold the opinion they can worship, live and believe however they please. It may be in direct contradiction to God’s Word—His rules—but they will still be rewarded. Such ignorance in the athletic world leads to disappointment—the same is true spiritually also.
Jesus says in John 12:48, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” The “law of Christ” has been spoken, we must walk by it if we expect to be rewarded with a home in heaven!
September 2008