I wrote this for July/August edition of The Link, Hanslope’s Methodist & Anglican Magazine. Due to its timely nature I am sharing it with you here. Mindy
2008 Beijing Olympics
Are you also excitedly awaiting the opportunity to watch the 2008 Summer Olympics? I am looking forward to watching the Opening Ceremonies tomorrow afternoon from the comfort of my own couch. I am awed and inspired by the athleticism of all those who compete in a myriad of events within this years selection of 28 Olympic sports. I also love the pageantry, music, and dancing of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. After all, only once every four years do we have an opportunity to watch this spectacle.
The Olympic athletic competitions have been described by Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser as “the most compelling search for excellence that exists in sports, and maybe in life itself.” For athletes, participating and medaling in the Olympics can be the height of achievement. Jeff Fenech, an Australian boxer, said, “An Olympic medal is the greatest achievement and honor that can be received by an athlete. I would swap any World Title to have won gold at the Olympics.”
There is a great competitive drive to win a gold medal, or any medal, which causes all to do their best. I have heard it reported that Team Great Britain is under more pressure than usual to win medals this year, in preparation for being the host nation in 2012. I do hope that Team Great Britain does well, but we could all do to remember the words of Pierre de Coubertin, founder of modern Olympics, “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part.”
Competition is fine and can spur us on to greater achievements, but it is important to remember we don’t need to compete in all areas of our lives. It is important to remember this in regards to our relationship with God. We don’t have to compete for or earn God’s love by winning a competition. It is truly good news that God is generous and has enough love to share that it won’t run out; there is enough for all of us. We all are loved by God, just as we are! We don’t have to win gold, silver, or bronze medals to gain God’s love. All of us are loved - those who win medals in competitions, those who don’t win medals when we compete, and those who watch the competition from the sidelines are loved. As we watch the Olympics, let us all remember that God’s love is a freely-given gift we don’t have to compete for.
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