The winning equation

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Hebrews 12:1-15

TO CHEW ON: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

There is something inspiring about watching athletes win a medal – especially when those athletes are from your country and you know a bit about what it took for them to get there.

Canadian speed skater Cindy Klassen is one such inspiring person. Always a gifted skater, she was rejected for the Olympic women’s hockey team before she even tried speed skating. Once she put on those speed skates she began winning medals including a bronze in the 2002 Olympics. Then in a freak accident in 2005 she cut twelve tendons, a nerve and artery in her arm and was forced to take time off. But she bounced back, winning five medals at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. However, in February of 2008 she again cut her season short to be by her sister’s side after Lisa Klassen suffered a near-fatal traffic accident. And later that year she had surgery on both her knees. Yet in December 2009, she qualified yet again to represent Canada in speed skating at the 2010 Olympics. Her story tells us something about the power of a goal and the strength of the human spirit when it comes to reaching that goal.

These elements also come into play in the race that is the Christian life. The ultimate goal for the Christian, as we said yesterday, is to hear Jesus’ “Well done!” when we break the finish-line tape. But the race is long, the obstacles many. That’s where we need determination, endurance, perseverance. Our inspiration and example is Jesus. I love how the Amplified Bible describes His role:

“Looking away from all that will distract to Jesus, Who is the Leader and Source of our faith, (giving the first incentive for our belief) and is also its Finisher (bringing it to maturity and perfection)” Hebrews 12:2 Amplified

The writer speaks of how Jesus’ finish (enduring the cross, despising the shame, seated at God’s right hand) inspires us. I also get inspiration from how He ran the middle of the race – His compassion, His single-mindedness, His wisdom, His ability to capture truth in little stories, His plain speech, His eye for the individual, and on and on… What a winner!

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for coming to earth to run this earthly race over 2000 years ago. Remind me to look to You for inspiration about how to carry on every day – and to finish well. Amen.

MORE: Find out more about Cindy Klassen at her web site.

Listen / watch her interviewed for 100 Huntley Street

Cindy Klassen’s Olympic schedule (her first race is tomorrow!)

Our prayers go out to the family and friends of Nodar Kumaritashvili, indeed the whole Olympic community after the death of this 21-year-old Georgian luge Olympian yesterday following a crash on his final training run.

Let the games begin!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Corinthians 9:16-27

TO CHEW ON: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” I Corinthians 9:24

Today the 2010 Olympics begin in Vancouver, BC, Canada (just a 45-minute drive from where I live)! Vancouver has been preparing for this event for seven years. When my daughter and I posed in front of this Olympic countdown clock in 2003, 2,357 days seemed like an eternity away.

In the intervening years a lot has gone on. There has been upheaval and inconvenience as roads were improved and buildings raised. Thousands of employees and volunteers have signed up to help. A complex security system has been put in place. In the last few weeks, travel and parking around Vancouver has become increasingly difficult as the city prepares for a multitude of visitors and their timely delivery to event venues all over the Greater Vancouver area and as far away as Whistler.

Athletes around the world have been preparing too. They’ve disciplined and trained their bodies. They’ve entered qualifying competitions to earn the right to represent their countries. They’ve sacrificed time, money, energy, perhaps even relationships, all for the privilege of competing with the world’s premiere athletes in this event.

The likenesses of the Christian life to an athletic competition were not lost on Paul – and they resonate with us today in a fresh way:

1. We work toward a goal. Like event organizers and athletes, we live our Christian lives with the goal in view. To win for us means Christ’s “Well done.” Every sacrifice, discipline and hardship is worth that prize.

2. We make the necessary sacrifices. Like the host community and the athletes, Christians prepare. We do that by learning how to use the equipment (the Bible) and exercising disciplines like prayer, fasting, stewardship of our possessions and our bodies, balancing rest and work – not to earn salvation but because we function best when we follow the Maker’s instructions.

3. We avoid becoming disqualified. How heartbreaking when, after years of preparation, an athlete’s effort doesn’t count because he broke the rules. How just as heartbreaking to see Christians of prominence and influence fall by the wayside because of moral or ethical failure. How to avoid this? We must follow Paul’s example: “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection… lest I myself become disqualified.” Sin starts so tiny – just a thought… Even that must be nipped it in the bud.

The Christian’s Olympic Games start the day we hand over the controls of our lives to Jesus and end when He welcomes us home. May we all finish well!

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to live my Christian life with the focus of an athlete intent on winning the prize. And I pray for the Vancouver Olympic Games. May they be a wonderful celebration for the world, safe and free from tragedy of any kind. Amen.

MORE: More than Gold
Under the “More than Gold” banner, churches and para-church organizations have been preparing for the 2010 Olympics since 2004. Their purpose: “To connect and coordinate the community in working together on initiatives before, during and after the 2010 Games; building a momentum that becomes a tipping point toward the holistic transformation of our city.”

Explore all the exciting events they have planned. Then join them in praying for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic (February 12-28) and Paralympic Games (March 12-21, 2010).