I don’t watch the Olympics anymore, but when I did watch it, it was probably athletics.
I’d be particularly interested if someone from Ireland was in a race. But you get all these runners from other countries who try to run faster, and then Ireland lose 😩. The same sort of thing happens in soccer. All those nice Irish guys try to score a goal, but you get all these guys from the other team who deliberately try to stop them. And what’s worse is that the other team come the other way and score goals against Ireland.
In all seriousness, there’s so much disappointment in watching sport, but on the rare occasions in which we do well, it’s a real joy.
I used to enjoy, what are to me, unusual sports too, such as weightlifting, diving, pole vaulting and so on. I’d have no clue who the people were, but it was just fascinating watching them and trying to figure out who was gonna win.
The first Olympics that I vividly remember was in 1972 when Mark Spitz won a whole load of medals in swimming for the US. I was in the cub scouts back then, and we had a mock Olympics with cardboard medals. I won a silver and a gold medal. I didn’t feel great about it. I won the silver medal in a relay race. I did my little bit, but I wondered whether I deserved it. My fellow team members were much better athletes that I was.
And when we finished the sport, we went back to a little room and the scoutmaster asked us if we wanted to perform a song. Those who did well were given the remaining medals. So, I performed Rolf Harris’s I Lost My Mammy. And I won gold! Everyone laughed at my comedy song, but I don’t think it went down well with the other gold medal winners 😀.
I sometimes use all that as an illustration of salvation by grace. None of us win a place in heaven in the way an Olympic winner wins a medal. It’s true that you can compare life to a great race to be run. But we depend on God’s mercy and grace, and more specifically the death of Jesus, who paid the price for us. I’m writing this on Good Friday. I always write my posts a day early. If gives me a chance to edit it if I change my mind about anything.
Titus 3:3-7
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Anyway, my relay race reminds me of being in a relay race with an amazing runner who will cause the team to win, however bad his teammates are at running. And when we believe in Christ, we’re united with Him. Where He goes, we go. So, just as I can’t take credit for my silver medal, I can’t take credit for getting to heaven. He did it all.
But at least I took the trouble to be on the team, by His grace. If I didn’t bother going to the scout hall that night, I’d have no medal at all. And of course, eternity in heaven is significantly better than my cardboard silver medal – cardboard with silver paper actually 😀.
And what about my gold medal? I didn’t feel that I earned it, but everyone seemed to laugh at my comedy song, and the scoutmaster was happy to award me the gold medal. I liken this to God’s attitude to us. It’s true that He disciplines us and rebukes us. You can see that throughout the Scripture. But ultimately, He loves us, and even the little things that we do for him that we, or others, might consider insignificant, He rejoices in. He knows us inside out, including all our faults, yet He sent His one and only Son to die for us. And He sent His Holy Spirit to open up our hearts and eyes. And just as we rejoice at the little accomplishments of our children, God rejoices in us. And a day will come when He’ll do nothing but rejoice over us:
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
I remember thoroughly enjoying Chariots of Fire back in 1982, particularly because it was about an Olympic winner who later became a Christian missionary. It’s nice to know that there are Christian winners, such as Eric Liddell and Ireland’s own Katie Taylor. It goes to show that evangelical Christians aren’t all losers like me 😀. Still, the offer of salvation goes out to everyone. Think of what Paul said to the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 1:26-27
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
This isn’t to say that He doesn’t choose wise and influential people, but sometimes the “winners” don’t feel that they need God. When things go wrong in life, we’re more prone to look for a deeper meaning in life and a greater future.
Anyway here are a few clips relating to Eric Liddell and Katie Taylor:
Hibernia Gospel 
Please, I beg, don’t call yourself a loser. Evangelist
Do what the Lord has called you to do. We all have different skills, abilities, and gifts. As given by the Holy Spirit.
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