Finishing Well

Freestyle skier Elizabeth Swaney has been both praised and maligned for competing in the S. Korean Olympics this week. She’s American by birth, is skiing for Hungary, and previously competed in skeleton for Venezuela. What makes her noteworthy?

She’s been called a terrible skier, certainly not Olympic caliber. No tricks in her programs. Viewers and commentators were dismayed as she sashayed back and forth through the half-pipe without a single jump, lift, or turn. How did she qualify for the Olympics?

Blame it on a lack of women freestyle skiers, and the fact that she didn’t fall. She paid her way. She showed up. And she finished. Not in first, second, or third place. But she finished without crashing.

eliz swaney-master

 

Elizabeth Swaney exploited the lack of female half-pipe skiers, but also hopes to inspire more women athletes in Hungary. Suddenly the public has a new hero who proved that anyone can achieve their dream if they are aware and follow the rules.

I’m always upset when someone says an Olympian because they scored a silver or bronze medal. Shouldn’t they be praised that they are the better than all but one or two people in the entire world?

I’m so glad that God isn’t concerned with how fast we go or what style we display as we run our race of life. He will say “Well done, good and faithful servant,” if we don’t bury our talent, but invest it into kingdom work.

We are called to continue in the race, pressing on for the prize. Crossing the finish line and being welcomed into the Kingdom is worth more than any medal.

Today, Billy Graham died. His son, Franklin Graham, said, “My father was once asked, ‘Where is heaven?’ He said, ‘Heaven is where Jesus is and I am going to Him soon!’”

God isn’t going to ask us if we led thousands to the Lord. He only wants us to be faithful to what He has called us to, small or large, first or last place.

Olympic athletes today and 2000 years ago serve as living examples of what Paul said in his letter to the Philippians:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:12-14

In the race of life, we will have setbacks and disappointments. These are God’s tools to produce in us perseverance, character, and hope; patience; maturity; and godliness. (Rom. 5:3-42 Cor. 1:6James 1:42 Peter 1:6)

A single mother lost her job. A family faces foreclosure. A wayward teen breaks his parent’s hearts. A middle-school student is bullied. All people I know. All so hard to live through. But in each of these situations, their testimonies reflect the glory of God. He strengthened their faith as they pressed on through these setbacks and disappointments.

“The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:3-4)

We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Consider Him who endured such opposition, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Heb. 12:1b-3

How do we run the race with perseverance? By focusing on Jesus and the joy He sets before us just as He endured the cross by focusing on the joy set before Him. And as we consider Him, He strengthens us so we will not grow weary and lose heart.

Beloved, what will you be considering today?

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The Faith of Eagles

If ever there was biblical metaphor for the winning Super Bowl team, this is it.

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. Is. 40:31

And this was the year that a sports team demonstrated what true faith is. The team that mounted up like Eagles?? None other than the Philadelphia Eagles.

Now I’m a lifelong Giants fan. So for me to root for their division rival, the Eagles, was downright painful at first. But the more I heard about the Eagles, their young second-string quarterback, their underdog status, and most importantly, the faith of many of the teammates, the easier it was for me to root for them.

Often when a player thanks God after a victory, they thank God FOR the victory. With people praying for both teams, it’s prideful to think that God likes your team better and gave you the victory. In fact, I believe God usually works the other way – allowing gracious humility in defeat to demonstrate His loving character.

But this year, the victors were a team with many members dedicated to God. Their testimonies after the unexpected win did not thank God for the win. In each interview, the coach, the injured quarterback, the second-string quarterback, and many others ALL deflected praise and gave glory to God. They talked about their faith and their Bible studies (2x/week). They clearly stated their main purpose in life – to give glory to God and to make disciples. Everything else is secondary.

Eagles faith

And that’s the lesson for us. We don’t have to know anything about professional sports to glean deep truths from these players. It’s God alone who deserves the glory. In victory or defeat, God is still God. Our sport, work, play, whatever, is merely a platform from which we can declare the glory of God.

Does this mean we can’t take pride in our accomplishments? Not at all.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Col 3:23-24

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58

There is no greater satisfaction than knowing that you have been faithful with whatever God has entrusted you. And there’s a difference between receiving appreciation vs. glory. Athletes and celebrities are frequently offered glory from their fans, and these players redirected all glory to God.

Win or lose, God still deserves all the glory.

For more on the faith of the Eagles team:

Superbowl champs use their faith to praise God

‘All the Glory Belongs to God’: The Faith of the Super Bowl-Winning Philadelphia Eagles