Being in the midst of Olympic fever, it is fascinating to see the different responses to perceived success and failure. For some, anything less than a gold medal is the agony of failure. For others, just to be there participating is the ecstasy of success. For most of us, we are spectators living vicariously on the triumphs and disappointments of others!
Let’s reflect on parallels and differences with the calling of Jesus on our lives..
– we are all ‘in the game’. In the Christian community it is not players on one side of the fence and spectators on the other, we are all participants.: “to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Cor 12:7). It doesn’t matter how physically fit we are, whether we are 2 or 92 years old, male of female, employed or jobless or ‘retired’, at home, school, at the shops or wherever, we are all IN THE GAME! In what ways might God be calling you to be ‘in the game’ right now?
– it’s not primarily about outcome. Today there is much focus on ‘outcomes’, on winning and results. Of course, in the sporting world, with the professionalising and glamourising of sports people, winning means endorsements and more money. Success, money, power, are front and centre. In God’s kingdom outcome is secondary. Yes, God is interested in growth, in fruitfulness and multiplication, but that is not easily measured. Is growth simply measured by numbers? We can work faithfully and appear to see no results. Does that mean we have failed? By no means. There are times of sowing and times of reaping. One sows. Another reaps. However, that also ought not lead us to keep doing what we are doing unthinkingly – God always requires us to consider how we might do better, even as we leave outcomes to Him. Where might God be calling you to be faithful right now, even though it may not be easy?
– it’s about giving our best. Following on from the last point, when we read the great commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength…” it points to giving our best. This is reinforced constantly in various ways in the Scriptures. I can remember when our kids were at school we encouraged them to do their best. If they did their best they were ‘successful’, whatever the report card said. As it turned out the report card was normally healthy, but that wasn’t the point.
– coping with disappointment. Inevitably a major part of life in our humanity will be coping with loss and disappointment – in the Olympics of life! This is what tests and forges our character more than anything else. Life cannot be held on to. Experiences come and go. People come and go out of our lives. Illness, tragedy, heart-ache are never far away. Life is fleeting. However, at the core of our faith is the One who seemed to be totally defeated, hung limply and lifeless on a cross, and yet rose to be lord over all creation.
Whatever the fortunes of Olympic endeavours, we know that we are on the winning team precisely because we have a Lord who has conquered all. We have in store something even better and more lasting than a gold medal, a “crown of righteousness” which will be awarded to “all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). That sounds to me like a worthy goal! Truly, it is ultimate success!
Building communities of grace and hope, in Jesus Christ