Olympic Faith

   

 The world is half way through the Winter Olympic Games, our quadrennial affair with sports madness . Who knew there were so many ways to slide down a snowy hill? Slope-style skiing? Death wish, more like. And who ever dreamed up luge doubles? That piece of tinfoil isn't big enough for one person let alone two!  But here we are, glued to our televisions, or smart phones or computers, holding our breath at critical moments then cheering wildly when our team scores.  
      We  become instant experts on the run-back double, or a quad toe, or a 1080.  (I had to do the math to figure that one out.  In figure skating it's called a triple.)  
     Go into any coffee shop or grocery store and you'll hear conversations about what's happening in Sochi.  Who's where in the medal standings?  Who'll make the gold medal game in hockey?  We're obsessed with 100ths of a second nine time zones away.
    And good for us!  The Olympics give us a great lesson in empathy. We give our hearts to the athletes that represent our country.    We ache when they fall, we're ecstatic when they win.  We're all on the same team, or as a very clever advertiser puts it, "we all play for Canada."
     Since sport is such a powerful motivator, it's hardly surprising

the apostle Paul used it so frequently as a metaphor for Christian living.  In 1 Corinthians 9:24  we are urged to run the race so we may obtain the prize.  Hebrews 12:1 exhorts us to run the race that is set before us. 1 Corinthians 9:25 speaks of training for the games.  2 Timothy 2:5 we compete as an athlete to win the crown. Philippians 3:12-14 the faithful "press on toward the goal."

    We've already seen fine examples of the Olympic spirit, when one speed skater gave up his place to a team mate, or when an opposing coach supplied a fresh ski to a struggling competitor.  Such generosity of spirit embodies the Christian ideal as well.
    If the motto of the Olympics is "faster -- higher -- stronger," perhaps the Christian motto could be "braver -- purer-- kinder." Like the athlete trains his mind and body for his sport, the Christian trains his heart and mind and spirit for service to God and others.

    Go, Canada, Go!   Go, Christian, Go!