I love watching the Olympics and cheering for athletes as they go for the gold. The stories of perseverance, the injuries pushed through, the mental and emotional struggles overcome are laced throughout every Olympic team. They learn quickly to fail forward and keep going.
These athletes inspire me. They challenge me to look at my current struggle and find new strength. I am reminded that the race I am running lasts a lifetime. It will have many struggles and opportunities to persevere. It will also have many gold medal moments.
1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! (Hebrews 12: 1-3 MSG).
Not letting childhood trauma define me, finishing a dissertation, building strong relationships, learning the value of vulnerability are a few of the struggles and perseverance that have lead to a gold medal moment.
Choosing to go for the gold is a big commitment. It means doing hard things, making sacrifices and being willing to fail. I am reminded it is not over until my life is over. I need to keep my eyes on Jesus and finish well, so I’m taking a deep breathe and letting the Olympics breathe new life into my commitment to strengthen myself mentally, emotionally and physically so I can go out and love well.
Are you willing to go for the gold? Are you willing to do what it takes to be the love of Christ to everyone you interact with? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.