Olympian
(in training)
The
Olympic Games begin, today, July 27, 2012 in London, England.
The
Olympics are only held every four years.
Four
years for athletes…to persevere, to keep on keeping on, to continue to press
on toward the goal.
In years
gone by a laurel wreath was given to the winners of the Roman athletic games,. It was a symbol of triumph and honor, the
most coveted reward. Today the ultimate
prize in the modern day Olympics is a gold medal.
Light
the Torch
An
athlete needs to be prepared—not just for the ultimate Olympic competition but
years before.
Yes,
there are those that just seem to have supernatural talents but for the
majority of us, skills must be honed.
The race
begins at the starter’s block. In other
words we have to get started. Begin to
train. Light the torch.
Physical
preparation for an athlete in training is having the right equipment and gear. However, even more important to the success
of the athlete is the mental preparation of being committed…to train daily.
Training
can be easy when the sun is shining and the humidity is low and the 5 Olympic
Rings are in sight.
However,
when the weather is overcast and thunderstorms are looming, it is tempting to
pull the covers over our heads and sing, ‘there’s always tomorrow’ (for
training).
Don’t we
do that also in our Christian walks?
God has
given us the Trainer’s Manual.
Instructions on
how to
walk out the Christian life. We run full
speed when our internal weather is calm and blue skies are in our forecast yet
when there are clouds on the horizons or we are in the midst of personal storms
and dark cloudy circumstances --we stumble.
We pull the covers over our heads.
Yet, God
never promised that our Christian walk would be smooth sailng on the Thames
River.
However,
He did promise that He would be with us every step along the way. He coaches us through His Word, the Bible and
via the Holy Spirit.
Carry
the Torch
How do
we begin training? First, get to know
the Coach-Jesus Christ and read His manual.
Make a commitment from your heart to train daily by spending time with
Him and reading His Word and asking Him to coach you through each step of your
walk….so that you build endurance and are able to run even during inclement
times.
But!
But! I am weak. I stumble.
I just want to sit out a few races.
Life hurts. Circumstances are
harsh. People are mean. Yes…..
BUT---The
Coach has selected you…to run the race. He provides you with everything that
you need to be able to persevere. We
just need to embrace the Nike slogan, ‘Just Do It’.
Our
Coach is not a drillmaster. He is an
encourager and He cheers us on ‘to throw off everything that hinders us and the
sin that so easily entangles us (& trips us up) and to run with
perseverance the race marked out for us.’
(Hebrews
12:1)
What ‘if’
I fall? Get over that hurdle because
it’s not what ‘if’ I fall but ‘when’ you fall.
You will
stumble. You will fall.
What
sprinter has not fallen? What equestrian
has not fallen off of their horse? What
relay runner has not dropped the baton in the pass off? What tennis player has
not missed the ball? What basketball
player has not missed the shot? What swimmer has not delayed diving off the
starter’s block?
Do what
an Olympian would do.
Get
up. Keep on keeping on.
Do not
look around at others. Do not listen to
the jeers… or the cheers (as they will only distract you from your goal). Instead--
Keep
your eyes on the ultimate prize.
Keep
your eyes on the finish line.
You may
not receive a laurel wreath or even a medal yet you will receive something even
more precious than gold and more coveted than a laurel wreath—the words of the
ultimate Coach-God, saying to you, ‘well done’.
Now, Pass
the Torch.
Wendy’s
Witz-dom: During your Christian walk,
keep your ‘witz’ about you!
God’s
Wisdom: ‘He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who
hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like
eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’
(Isaiah 40:29-31)
‘I have
finished the race, I have kept the faith.’
(2 Timothy 4: 7)
**Eric
Liddell, 1924 Olympic Gold Medalist, ‘I believe God made me for a purpose…when
I run I feel His pleasure.’
Wendy
Lee Witz
©WitzEnd
Writings
June 24,
2012
