The Spiritual Gold

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” - Matthew 6:33

As much as I enjoy watching the Olympics, there are several aspects of these time-honored games that disturb me. First, the pressure to perform within certain distance and time parameters seems a bit unfair. There is no second chance, no mañana; it’s now or never. Ice skating is a prime example. In the pairs figure skating you are given two minutes and fifteen seconds to prove to the world that you are the best. For an imaginary event, let’s step out onto the ice and feel the heat. The world is watching. Thousands of dollars and as many man hours of practice have brought you here for this moment. Don’t blow it! A hush falls over the crowd as the music begins. You have been here before, but only in your dreams. What trophy room would best display the Olympic gold? How would you handle all the publicity? What would it be like to be called the best in the world? But you’re no longer dreaming--you’re on the ice and the first two minutes of your performance have been flawless. There is just fifteen seconds between you and the gold medallion you have waited and worked for all your life. Suddenly there’s a split second lapse in memory and a required critical spin is overlooked. It’s too late, the music is unforgiving and so are the judges. There’s no grace, no forgiveness, no tomorrow. Your hopes and dreams have been dashed against the rocks of misfortune. It’s all over.

Exaggeration? Hardly. Just ask Randy Gardner. A few years ago at Lake Placid, Randy pulled a muscle during a practice session and was unable to compete. It was a nightmare. The red, white, and blue would not be hoisted that afternoon. The National Anthem was silenced by a pulled hamstring.

My second concern regarding the Olympics has to do with the selection of sporting events. Who decides what sports qualify to be included in the Olympics? Have you seen the luge? Don’t get me wrong—I like the luge. But let’s be honest. How can you be considered the best in the world at a sport only eight people in the world have ever heard of? Out of those eight only four have access to a luge course. And you really have to question the sanity of the driver. There he is lying on his back traveling at 75 mph down an icy labyrinth. The winners always have names like Yen Yenson or Egor Pordanski. If I decide to compete in 2006 where can I practice? Did you know that there is not one luge course in all of Herndon? Not one! I hope Yen’s mother doesn’t read this.

My third and final gripe, and wouldn’t you know it, has to do with the sponsors. Every product known to man is the official product for the 2006 Winter Olympics. Budweiser is the official beer; M&Ms are the official snack food. Come on! Can’t you just see these physically fit, alpine athletes chasing down M&Ms with a Bud? The world never ceases to amaze me.

So what does all of this have to do with a pastoral challenge? Just this. Paul drew a great many examples from the Olympic games of his day to drive home spiritual truths. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; be we an incorruptible” (I Corinthians 9:24-25).

Do we strive for perfection? Do we lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us? And isn’t it a comfort to know that our performance doesn’t have to be flawless. His grace is always sufficient to forgive. And there is always a second chance—just ask Jonah. That’s the way I see things.