These two weeks have
been a little piece of what Heaven will look like, where there will be people
from every tribe and nation present. As
the 31st Olympiad comes to a close, there are several memorable
events, people, and situations to ponder from the 2016 Rio Olympics.
* Being an athlete takes
commitment, exercise, time, and sacrifices.
* Athletes were quick to
give praise, honor, and thanks to their parents, family, and coaches for the investments
they have made in their lives.
* Any athlete can win on
any given day.
* Even the best can have
bobbles, falls, or missed balls. It’s
what you choose to do afterwards that determines your ability to compete
successfully.
* What you may not be
able to accomplish individually, you can contribute to and win as a team.
* Keep your eye on the
goal/finish line and not on your competitor.
* Run with all your
might over the Finish Line. Finish strong. Slowing down,
when approaching the line, can cost you a medal.
* You have to be willing
to give it your all, even if it means diving head-first over the Finish Line as
Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas did to win the women’s 400 meters.
* It’s important how you
treat, invest in, and speak to people.
Two Olympic swimmers were inspired by and had pictures made with Michael
Phelps when they were children. Katie
Ledecky won 4 gold medals and 1 silver medal for swimming events in the 2016
Rio Olympics. In turn, Katie is now
taking the time to pose for pictures and sign autographs to encourage other
swimmers. Joseph Schooling, a
21-year-old swimmer from Singapore, also had his picture made with Phelps. Schooling took the inspiration to heart. He beat Phelps this week in the 100-meter
butterfly, earning Singapore’s first gold medal in Olympic history.
* Sportsmanship is on
display at all times. New Zealand runner
Nikki Hamblin tripped and fell on the track in the 5,000 meter race. American Abbey D’Agostino was running so
close behind Nikki that she tripped and fell also. Abbey told Nikki, “Get up, get up! We have to finish!” Abbey helped Nikki get up before she continued
to run. After the race, Hamblin said, “I
am so grateful to Abbey for helping me.
That girl was the Olympic spirit right there. I am so impressed and inspired by that.”
* You can win the most
medals in history and still not be happy or fulfilled. In 2014, Michel Phelps considered taking his
own life after receiving a 2nd DUI. Ray
Lewis, an NFL linebacker, reached out to encourage him to get professional help
then gave him Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life.” Phelps told ESPN, “The book turned me into
believing there is a power greater than myself and there is a purpose for me on
this planet.” Phelps said he “turned to
Jesus Christ and was able to turn his life around.” Michael credited 2 Corinthians 5:18 with
helping him restore his relationship with his father. “He has restored our relationship with him
through Christ, and has given us the ministry of restoring relationships.”
* There is a time to
rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.
* Comparison is best
left to the judges.
* Live up to your own
standards. “I’m not the next Usain Bolt
or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone
Biles.”
* Never give up. Countries continue to train and send athletes
even when they have never won. This year
was the first time for athletes from some countries to win gold or medal for
their country.
* Several athletes took
the opportunity to declare their faith in Jesus Christ. David Boudia and Steele Johnson won silver
medals in men’s synchronized 10-meter platform diving. When interviewed, Boudia stated. “I just
think in the past there’s just been an enormous amount of pressure and I’ve
felt it. It’s just an identity
crisis. When my mind is on this (the
stadium) and thinking I’m defined by this, then my mind goes crazy. But we both know that our identity is in
Christ and we’re thankful for this opportunity to dive in front of Brazil and
in front of the United States. It’s been
an absolutely thrilling moment for us.”
In his book “Greater than Gold: From Olympic Heartbreak to Ultimate
Redemption,” Boudia chronicles how he came to the point where he no longer
sought glory for himself but rather lived to give glory to God.
* Allyson Felix took
silver in the 400 meter. She makes no
secret that she is a Christian. Before
her race she posted, “I praise God for it all.
I came to know Jesus Christ at a very young age…Faith leads my
life. That’s definitely the reason I
run.”
* When interviewed
Friday morning, U. S. wrestling gold medalist Helen Maroulis said that she was
scared about competing. Her pastor
reminded her that she had God inside her and she didn’t need to worry. She claimed that promise during the competition.
* For the first time in
Olympic history, the U. S. women swept the 110-meter hurdles. After the race, Brianna Rollins, the gold
medalist told an interviewer, “I just kept God first and just continued to let
Him guide me throughout the rounds. We
formed a prayer circle this morning and we just let His presence come upon us…. I want to break world records and win gold
medals, but I also want to be known as the athlete who glorified God by
reaching my full potential.”
* Your actions and words
matter.
* Athletes must be
willing to overcome injuries and handicaps to develop to their potential. Usain Bolt, considered to be the fastest man
in the world, was born with scoliosis.
He has learned to compensate and run so as not to cause further injury
to his back.
* Sometimes you get
second chances. On the exchange of the
baton on the women’s 4x100 relay, the baton was dropped. The 2nd runner picked it up and continued to
race. When the heat was completed, an
appeal was made since the 2nd runner was bumped on the track by another
country’s athlete, thus causing the baton to drop. When the film was reviewed, the U. S. women
were given a second chance to qualify.
If they had quit and not finished the race, they would have been
disqualified, and not able to formally protest the outcome.
* Worship occurs
naturally when it is already a part of your lives. The seven man rugby team from Fiji won their
country’s first ever gold medal. After
their win, they stood together in a circle, with their arms on each others’
shoulders, and harmonized in song in both Fijian and English:
“We have overcome
We have overcome
By the blood of the Lamb
And the Word of the Lord
We have overcome.”
When it came time for
the winner’s ceremony, in humility, each man knelt on both knees to receive
their medal.
A
good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better
than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1
Do
you not know that in a race all
the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the
prize.
Corinthians 9:24
Rejoice
with those who rejoice; mourn
with those who mourn.
Romans 12:15
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the
sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked
out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For
the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down
at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him
who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and
lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3
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