Every Olympics is a collection of amazing personal stories. I’m not a huge fan of some of the obscure sports I’ve never heard of before, but I get very excited when I see young people who have obtained a world class level of excellence and put on once-in-a-lifetime performances under the pressure of being on the world stage. That inspires me greatly.
Most of these Olympians began with a childhood dream and dug in to follow through with years of sacrifice, hard work and dogged determination in order to have a few moments to show the world they are among the very best in their sport. Win or lose, most of these young people have laid a foundation of discipline and hard work that will serve them well through life.
Though Paul refers several times in his writings to a sports motif, there is no evidence that he was an athlete himself. He did, however, understand the type of discipline and hard work necessary to reach the pinnacle. Paul was a disciple of the famous Gamaliel. To be accepted as one of his disciples was almost certainly the result of a process beginning in early childhood. Many historians believe that Paul would had to have begun this pursuit by at least five or six years of age in Jerusalem. Indeed, in Acts 22:3 Paul says that though he was born in Tarsus he was raised in Jerusalem. In all probability his parents moved the family to Jerusalem when Paul was a young child in order to chase the dream of becoming one of the very finest rabbis. Paul obtained his childhood dream.
Paul would, of course, meet the resurrected Jesus and become his faithful follower. He would go on to be a world changer in the name of Christ, setting a level of excellence that no one has ever been able to equal. His early years of sacrifice, discipline, hard work and study laid a solid foundation and his rabbinical studies would continue to serve him well all of his life.
Why would a follower of Jesus Christ ever want to settle for mediocrity? In the Olympics, there are only so many gold medals to be awarded. In the real time Olympics of life, though, we are not in competition with each other, but with our own capabilities and the specific plan God has for each of us.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2Timothy 4:8
The prize is there for whoever dares to trust God, exercise self-discipline, work hard and be persistent. Why sit in the stands when you can go for the gold? And, you’re never too old!
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
What is your dream? What is the one area of life where you can ries to the very peak of your ability? Why not go for the gold?
Go for Gold!
Most of these Olympians began with a childhood dream and dug in to follow through with years of sacrifice, hard work and dogged determination in order to have a few moments to show the world they are among the very best in their sport. Win or lose, most of these young people have laid a foundation of discipline and hard work that will serve them well through life.
Though Paul refers several times in his writings to a sports motif, there is no evidence that he was an athlete himself. He did, however, understand the type of discipline and hard work necessary to reach the pinnacle. Paul was a disciple of the famous Gamaliel. To be accepted as one of his disciples was almost certainly the result of a process beginning in early childhood. Many historians believe that Paul would had to have begun this pursuit by at least five or six years of age in Jerusalem. Indeed, in Acts 22:3 Paul says that though he was born in Tarsus he was raised in Jerusalem. In all probability his parents moved the family to Jerusalem when Paul was a young child in order to chase the dream of becoming one of the very finest rabbis. Paul obtained his childhood dream.
Paul would, of course, meet the resurrected Jesus and become his faithful follower. He would go on to be a world changer in the name of Christ, setting a level of excellence that no one has ever been able to equal. His early years of sacrifice, discipline, hard work and study laid a solid foundation and his rabbinical studies would continue to serve him well all of his life.
Why would a follower of Jesus Christ ever want to settle for mediocrity? In the Olympics, there are only so many gold medals to be awarded. In the real time Olympics of life, though, we are not in competition with each other, but with our own capabilities and the specific plan God has for each of us.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2Timothy 4:8
The prize is there for whoever dares to trust God, exercise self-discipline, work hard and be persistent. Why sit in the stands when you can go for the gold? And, you’re never too old!
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
What is your dream? What is the one area of life where you can ries to the very peak of your ability? Why not go for the gold?