Even Through the Games

Every four years, for sixteen glorious days, the world's eyes turn to the Olympic Games. Twenty five hundred athletes come, representing over eighty nations, to test themselves on the highest level in the pursuit to overcome and prevail through suffering, sacrifice, and pain. Having eagerly absorbed every moment of both summer and winter games for almost forty years, this observer has wondered at times why the attraction is so great and the interest so all encompassing.
Perhaps it lies in the quadrennial nature of the event; we are drawn because it is not a frequent occurrence, not a common thing. On the one hand, this builds anticipation and helps one to feel that what is to come is special and unique. And so it is.
For the participants, this fact must create in them a dichotomy of emotion - the games must seem so far off and yet seem to be drawing nervously closer every moment. Years of arduous training are needed to prepare for minutes and seconds, even milliseconds, in the arena - and only one gets to experience the moment of gold.
Certainly, we are drawn because of the quality of physical and mental prowess exhibited by the young and the brave. The beauty of the human form, remarkable alone, but extraordinary when viewed within such a cauldron of intensity. The Olympic flame is fired when the games begin and is extinguished at their close, all the while drawing the world to watch and be reminded of the glory and the suffering commingled within the body and nature of man.
In considering man and his motives, one must also acknowledge that we are attracted to the games not simply for the events themselves, but for the stories of the people who participate. It is awe inspiring to learn of each individual path to the summit of athletic achievement. Tales of injury and travail, past defeat and suffered loss, the price paid to achieve one's dream and those who fell just short. We as human beings are fascinated and inspired by one another and the compelling draw of shared humanity is amplified in each life song which comprise chords of both victory and defeat.
Finally, Is our wonder fueled by the lessons we can learn? It must be so. One is reminded again of the Source of such greatness, the value of commitment, dedication, and strict training, and that 'great moments are born of great opportunities.' Only one can win the prize, but all can be great, for greatness is found not only in attaining the highest pinnacle, but in the nature of the climb as well.
The Apostle Paul spoke of similar games and his thoughts on them are recorded in no less a source than the Holy Scriptures. This greatest of followers of Jesus Christ also followed and appreciated, less devotedly so to be sure, the wonder of sport and the value of striving. This great defender and champion of the faith applied the lessons and realities of the physical realm to the amphitheater of the spiritual:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:22-27


Have nothing to do with godless myths, and old wive's tales, rather, train yourself to be godly; for bodily exercise is profitable for a short while, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:7-8


For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

There are many things that compel us to watch, and learn, but I believe perhaps this application of the physical to the spiritual is most strong. The visible leads us to the invisible, the body to the soul - if we allow ourselves a moment to lift our eyes to the heights. The games lift them to be sure, superficially and temporally, but the Lord must open them fully and forever, that we might gaze upon and worship Him, high and lifted up in the heavens. Indeed, it is to the heavens that man aspires, because God has 'set eternity in the heart' of every person, regardless of nation, tribe, tongue, or land. God's offer of Himself is all inclusive - He is no respecter of persons and beckons all to come to Him by faith. The games too, call all who are drawn to come, and thus, we do so willingly. But oh, that man would have such devotion and desire for the Maker of the games and the Lord of all who strive. In Him alone is true glory, every believer bedecked with medallions of righteousness and laurel wreaths of eternal victory.
In mythology, Olympus was the abode of the gods; mortals stood upon plains tinted to bronze with the glory of the sun and looked up in wonder, to find, through silver streams of snow and ice, the personification of gold.
The voice of the Almighty calls to teach us, even through the games, that reality is better than the myth. Enjoy the games to be sure, but remember to whom they direct our gaze.

For sixteen marvelous days, our eyes are turned to the games, to teach us to overcome and prevail...When realized, our triumph, borne through suffering and sacrifice, attains for us an eternal weight of glory that far exceeds the pain....Truly, the greatest lesson of all.

...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God...God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.


I John 5:4-5, 11-15