A RACE BEYOND GOLD MEDALS

For athletes, the Olympics is not just a contest of skill. It is their life. They have trained their entire life for that moment. They made sure they ate the right kind of food. They made sure that their height, weight and other physical attributes are in complete harmony, nothing in excess or lack. They woke up early in the morning to train callously. They read journals about their specific events. They suffered their bodies to attain the physique of a champion. They have indulged themselves in every form of knowledge, technique and practice to advance their speed, flexibility, stamina and strength. Winning the Olympics has become their life, dream and purpose.

Watching young athletes strive for the gold made me realize how great our mission is. If a small earthly event such as the Olympics can be the life, dream and purpose of athletes, how much higher is the standard for us Christians who have an eternal calling from an eternal God? I am compelled to ask myself: how much time and effort am I investing in conforming my character to the image of Christ? Dear Christian, is God your life, dream and goal?

As believers, we are running a race that men know not of. The Prophet Jeremiah says, we race against horses, not men. Every follower is destined to run the race of his Master. It is not a secret that such race may cost the believer’s career, reputation and even his life. What has preaching the Gospel cost you? How many scars have you endured for advancing His Kingdom?

Indeed there are many blessings in the life of a Christian but such blessings do not always come in earthly prosperity. Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God in this dark and fallen world. We are to advance His Kingdom so that all will hear and see the one true God who deserves all praise. We are to expand His saving knowledge for the sake of His Name. Our lives should be an example and testimony to the living God. In this manner, watching unbelievers will find no cause for conflict and be led into repentance.

In six years of walking with the Lord, I’ve realized how holy God truly is. There was never a time in my life where I had esteemed Him in the way He deserves. My very existence is but a gust of wind against a high and mighty wall. The Lord deserves everything we have. Every bit of thought, utterance and act should exist for the glory of His Name. Our possessions, baseball mitts, comforters, cabinets and even our frying pans should be slaves to Christ. Your home, your car, your office desk, your television set, everything that you own and hold dear should be held in captivity to the Lord of lords. How high indeed is our Lord that no mouth or hand could ever truly praise His Name!

If athletes can train hard everyday, manage their diet and discipline their lives to develop their potential beyond normal statistics, why can’t we do the same in kingdom terms? We are not mere Olympians. We may be the least in this world but we are the most privileged in His land! Oh, how I wish to be a fiery Christian, subdued by the cross and constantly dwelling in the presence of the consuming flames of God? But how many times do I find the world more pleasurable than God? Indeed, I had used His grace in several occasions as an excuse to pursue carnality. Ah, how the incorruptible mercy of God, undeserved and perfected in Calvary, which we are generously commanded to embrace, is the only hope that we ever have.

The day would surely come when moths and dusts would eat our unredeemed flesh and our liberated souls will meet our Maker in the sky. But before that glorious day comes, we are to be what we are: slaves of the living God. Ah yes, on earth or in heaven, we are but trembling bondservants to His Word, always concerned with His will, constantly seeking Him in prayer and knowingly working to spread His fame among the nations.