I absolutely love the Olympics. For the past severall days, my family and I have been glued to our TV watching world class athletes display their incredible abilities and break world records. I am not sure there has ever been an Olympic display of strength and agilities like this one. More world records have been smashed than ever before. A couple of nights ago, I found myself jumping up and down in my living room cheering for the final leg of the USA Men’s 400M relay team. One of the most incredible moments in Olympic history. Last night, we cheered and watched as Michael Phelps became the greatest Olympian in world history, receiving 11 Gold medals. And he’s not finished yet. I, like millions of others, have admired his focus and dedication to accomplish such achievements. HE is truly amazing. My favorite part has been watching each one stand on the medal podium and receive the Gold Medal. And yet in all of the splendor of that achievement – there is something greater. The Apostle Paul says that there is a greater medal to strain towards. Something far beyond our temporary life on earth. 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 says: “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. 26-27 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.”
So everyday, I want to train hard, push the limit, and give it everything I’ve got so that when the race of life is over for Kalyn Brassfield, I will stand on an eternal podium and receive the Gold that never fades away. That’s far better than the Olympics.
Will you join me in this race?
-Kalyn
Hey Kalyn -
I don’t know if you will remember, but every year I give a talk on The Olympics – the Athlete and the Christian. I emphasize to the kids that the Athlete trains as a young child, eating the proper diet and training the physical body. And the Christian, as a young child, prepares himself for the game of life, toning his spiritual muscles and eating the proper diet of God’s Holy Word to keep him on a Christ-like track in a sinful world. In the end, the Athlete will run for the Gold, but he is a winner only in the eyes of the world. The Christian runs life’s great race where there will be many winners in the eyes of God with the final reward being a crown of life.
I’m joining you in the race -
Nancy