We Trained Our Whole Life for This

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Cor. 9:25 NIV

I know it’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but my eyes are red and I’m exhausted from watching all the drama and excitement of the Olympic Games.

There have been some great moments in the last two weeks. We’ve been watching the gymnastics and, of course, the swimming events. Amazing! But not without a price. These world-class athletes go through so many years of training and sacrifice to compete at this Olympic level.

Valeri Liukin, 1988 Russian Gold Medal gymnast and the father of the 2008 Gold Medal Women’s All-Around gymnast Nastia Liukin said they had been preparing for Olympic Gold for her whole life. Nastia is 18 years old.

Think about all of the literal blood, sweat, and tears, not to mention the thousands of hours of time and hundreds of thousands of dollars invested by each of these athletes in pursuit of a gold medal.

I noticed the confidence of Nastia, Shawn Johnson and the other gymnasts. Even after they fall, they get back up and approach the next routine with confidence. How? Their life is gymnastics. They’ve done those routines and elements thousands of times. They don’t go to the gym two or three times a month for an hour and a half workout and be prepared to compete at this level, they live it.

These men and women have prioritized gymnastics in their life, and you see the result. You will excel in whatever area you prioritize and invest, whether that be your career, athletics, education or seeking first the kingdom of God.

Our spiritual race, our training, our running is not to be done merely an hour and a half on three or four Sundays a month. We are to live it. … for in Him we live and move and have our being,… Acts 17:28

If we’re to excel in our spiritual life, we must also breathe, eat, drink and sleep the kingdom of God, just as the Olympians do their sport. They do it to get a medal that will not last. They do it to set World Records that will not last. We do it to get a prize that will last forever.

Enjoying the Journey,
David