I love the Olympics. Every four years, I, like many others worldwide, intently watch sporting competitions that I never watch otherwise. In the summer, it may be anything from platform diving to archery. In the winter, it could be cross-country skiing or curling. Of course, there are some sports that I don’t enjoy even in the Olympics, but I watch them anyway, like figure skating, for example. I watch them all because I like the competition of the Olympic Games.
THe Greatest Competition in world
The Olympics have for many years been a competition that brought together the best athletes from around the world. They originated in ancient Greece, and there are even references to them in the Bible. Specifically, in 1 Corinthians 9:25, Paul states, “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” Paul’s point is that the athletes who compete in the greatest of sporting events work hard to compete at a high level. They train, exercise self-control, and are very disciplined to win a prize that isn’t lasting. He makes the point that we are living our lives for a prize that is eternal and far more valuable and should therefore be even more self-controlled and disciplined in our spiritual lives than world-class athletes are in their training.
The Olympic Games are compelling because they are unique. The greatest athletes from around the world compete. They are only held every four years, so one must train for a long time to even have the chance to compete. For many, they will have one opportunity to achieve their dream. All of these factors combine to make it a compelling event. Even the most significant competitive events are, at the end of the day, just a game.
MORE THAN A GAME
Life, on the other hand, is not a game. Life is real, and eternity is forever. The stakes are far higher than any medal or trophy that may be won in some sporting competition. The exalted Lord is far more compelling than anything this world has ever seen. Isaiah describes his vision of the Lord like this:
In the year of King Uzziah’s death, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” - Isaiah 6:1-8
John describes His vision of the exalted Lord in these words:
I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and hair were white like white wool, like snow, and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze that glows in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. - Revelation 1:13-18
THE REAL PRIZE
These visions make it clear that one day, any Superbowl trophies or Olympic medals will mean nothing when we stand before Jesus. How true are the words of C.T. Studd, “We’ve only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” Studd was the most famous and successful athlete in England in his day. He walked away at the height of his success to be a missionary. He found what was truly compelling. Games are fun. Jesus is the surpassing value.
Sports have some genuine value and can be healthy endeavors for those who participate. Many life lessons can be learned. Winning an Olympic medal is a dream desired by many and realized by very few, but even the Olympics are games. They are the Olympic games.
As Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, we are entering a time of introspection and prayer leading to Easter. Let us reflect on the significance of death preceding resurrection, urging readers to embrace a daily practice of surrendering self in preparation for our spiritual transformation.