Eyes on the Prize

Friday July 27, 2012 has a big red circle around it on my calendar.  Actually, there should be a blue, yellow, black, green, and red circle to represent the five parts of the world that will gather together in London for the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics.  Yes, the Olympics are only eight days away.   I can hardly wait to watch as the top athletes from around the world gather together to compete.  

Of course, I want to watch gymnastics star, Jordyn Wiebe, and the swimming rivalry between Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, but I will also watch wrestling, archery, and trampoline and anything else that I am able to tune in.  It doesn’t really matter what the sport is, I am captured by the commitment, dedication, and perseverance to a goal.  It is all glamorous and exciting and enthralling.  The games will begin and the eyes of the world will be on these athletes who have reached the pinnacle of their sport and now compete to see who will win the coveted gold medal and stand on the podium as their country’s national anthem is played  and all of us sitting at home in our pajamas cry.  All the long hours of practice, all the disappointments, all the injuries, and all the setbacks that had to be overcome were endured for this glorious moment. 

But then we begin to hear their stories. We hear the raw struggle to survive the process. Stories like those of  Lopez Lomong who  was born in a small village in South Sudan.  He was abducted at the age of six.  He nearly died in prison but managed to escape with three other boys who ran for three days through treacherous terrain until they finally crossed the border into Kenya. Remember he was six!  Lopez would remain in a refugee camp for ten years and then was resettled in the United States through the Catholic Charities Lost Boys of Sudan project.  Running would remain a part of Lopez’s life through High School and college.  He went on to be the division 1 NCAA indoor champion at 3000 meters and the outdoor champion at 1500 meters.  On July 6, 2007 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.  In 2008, he would be on the US Olympic team and carry the flag in the opening ceremonies in China. In eight days Lopez will once again be entering the Olympic arena running not just for gold or the United States but also for the Sudan and all those who are still living under the oppression of civil war.  His running has taken on a higher calling.  Now he runs not only for personal achievement, and national pride, but for the greater good of mankind.  He runs for those he left behind but has not forgotten.  He runs for all the boys still lost in the Sudan.

The stories are why I love the Olympics.  The courage, sacrifice, perseverance that has been extracted in order to attain a goal inspires and overwhelms me.  I am amazed at the depth of commitment these men and women exhibit.  It is then that I hear the voice of Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

Then it hits me - I am called to be a runner in the Olympics of life.  I am called to be a runner on a quest to receive a prize that will not fade away but is eternal.  I am called to overcome every obstacle that would keep me from obtaining my eternal prize.  Heaven is my Olympic stadium and Jesus awarding me the crown of righteous is my podium moment.  I am called to get up off my couch, out of my pajamas, quit crying about how hard everything is and grasp hold of the reason I am called to run.  I am challenged by Lopez to look beyond my self to the greater good of mankind.  I ask myself where I can make a difference here and now as I run toward the prize.     

2 Corinthians 4: 16-18  So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

As I focus on my eternal goal, I am made aware that nothing I suffer is in vain.  Everything that God allows into my life is for a purpose.  No sacrifice too great and no discipline too severe.  There is nothing that will keep me from obtaining my crown. 

1 Corinthians 15:58  With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.

Anyone who thinks the way of the cross is glamorous and easy is just watching from their couch on the sidelines of life.  Those engaged in the struggle to reach their eternal goal know how discouraging and wearisome the way can be.  They also know that there is no greater call in life than to know Christ and to spend eternity with Him.  It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.   

2 Timothy 4:7-8   I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Until then

Eyes on the prize!