So Much Devotion, So Little a Prize
(A Message from the 2010 Winter Games)
As you know, the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver are in full swing. I have only watched snippets of the events so far, but I have been trying to keep up through the news reports and media summaries. I have to say that I personally enjoy the Summer Games more than the Winter Games, but there are several Winter events and athletes I follow with some interest.
The Olympic Games have always captured the world’s imagination. I never cease to be amazed by the skill, strength, agility and grace exhibited by the athletes in their respective sports. But even more than that, I am fascinated by the participants’ desire, drive, determination and discipline. They set their sights on being an Olympic athlete in a particular sport, and then they set out to achieve that lofty goal by grueling hard work and training, with unflinching determination. They make many sacrifices along the way – putting other things, even relationships on the back burner while they pursue their dream. In a recent article I read by Elizabeth Olsen on Olympic training facilities and methods, she opened with these remarks: Olympic athletes devote their lives to training for the Olympic games. Indeed, to them training is a full time job that can consume more than eight hours a day.”
When I ponder this, a question floods my mind: Why so much devotion for such a small prize? I am reminded of the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (English Standard Version)
Paul wrote these words to the believers in Corinth, the city where the Isthmian Games (companion games to the Olympics) were hosted. These athletic events were held the year before and the year after the Olympics, which were held in Athens. The common prize for a victor was a simple wreath, fashioned from a myrtle tree. Yes, those ancient athletes were competing for twigs! Such devotion for so small a prize! Today’s Olympic athletes today are competing for a gold-painted piece of metal. That’s not all they’re competing for, of course. You could throw in national pride, personal achievement, admiration, adulation, sponsorships, etc. Still, in the whole scheme of things, the prize for winning an Olympic event is small – especially when you look at the degree of devotion that goes into it.
That brings a second question to mind: Why so little devotion for such a great prize? As Christians, we have so much more to run for, to strive for. Yet, we don’t always go about it with the desire, discipline, self-denial, sacrifice, hard work and determination of an Olympic athlete. Paul says we must not “run aimlessly” or “box as one beating the air” (shadow boxing!), but instead we must discipline our bodies and keep them under control. If not, we risk being “disqualified”. If Olympic athletes “devote their lives” to getting a “perishable wreath”, can we do any less as we strive for the “imperishable” gold medal that awaits us at the awards ceremony?
Rich Howell
