Olympic Effort

The London 2012 Olympics are in full swing, and in our evenings hubby and I often watch some of the athletes compete for their gold, silver and bronze medals. Along the way we learn of what it has taken for them to even come to the moment when they can compete for the prize.

It begins with an athlete making a decision that will consume four (or more) years of their lives, during which their only focus can be on conditioning and training themselves to excel in their sport. It is a decision that affects their whole family, and the cost is always great.

Once the decision is made, every priority of life is ordered around the goal to win that prize. They spend enormous sums of time and money in training and arrange everything about their daily lives in a way that serves the goal of winning that prize, to be the greatest athlete in the world. It takes tremendous dedication in the face of many obstacles, not the least of which are discouragement, weariness, and temptations to indulge in things that derail or defeat the athlete’s goal.

Whether you approve or disapprove of the idea of one investing everything in a goal that is ultimately for personal glory, it is hard not to admire the dedication, sacrifice, self-discipline and sheer hard work of such a person.

Oh, that God’s people would make such olympic efforts to love Him with all their might!