Learning from Rio
By the time you read this, the main Rio Olympic Games will be over and whilst for some that will doubtless be a good thing, for others of us who have been captivated by the various performances of different Gymnasts, Athletes, Swimmers and Cyclists; it will be a sad miss. American swimmer Michael Phelps holds both the record for most gold medals won in a year, 8 and the most gold medals of all with 23, but incredibly it has been suggested that that the reason Michael Phelps didn’t win every event he entered this year is because he let himself get too out of shape. I just have to say that I have been watching the Olympics, and if that man is out of shape, I have been dead for five years.
There will always be debate over which was the best sporting moment of the games; who was the most thrilling to watch and what the greatest achievement was. But I was taken with the growing number of participants like Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt who came into their various sporting arenas with headphones on their ears. I don’t know what they were listening to. It could have been they were trying to learn another language or that they were getting a commentary on the history of the place they were in, or more likely is that it was their own special song playlist, but I do know why they were doing it. It was in order to keep them in their own world of concentration and to help them avoid being distracted by anything that might limit their level of performance.
The Bible often uses the image of the athlete to teach us spiritual truth and in this context the writer of the Hebrews tells us “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.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
This passage suggests an idea that’s very common in modern athletics. You hear this word often – focus – just like that of an Olympic swimmer or runner who has so many sights and sounds trying to get their attention, that they have to tune it all out. Their eyes are fixed on the goal and centred on the finishing line. The Bible says here we have a race marked out for us. The Lord has set a course for our life. We have gifts to use for Him, people to influence for Him, work to get done for Him, days with which to glorify Him, and we’re this runner striding towards the prize. All that matters is getting to the tape. Olympic winners could look at the crowd or focus on the competitors alongside them, but a champion always focuses on the goal.
As we are running our lap for Jesus each day, there’s plenty to distract us. It is easy to have our attention drawn to a problem person, to finances, making money, a thousand little annoyances, temptation, an overwhelming “to do” list. Maybe we are drawn to this conflict or to something we’re afraid of, to your worries, and they’re all yelling at us “LOOK AT ME!”
Peter’s walk on water was a perfect example. He got out of the boat and walked on water. As long as he looked at Jesus, he was on top of the storm. When he looked away, it was on top of him. We sink when we look at the storm instead of the Saviour. I’m tired of throwing away days to frustration, worry, self-pity, and panic. I need to put on the headphones of God’s Word, and Focus on what He says to me and wants for me. That’s why there is so much practical benefit from just giving thanks for our meals during the day or listening to a worship song in the car or throwing up a prayer for someone in need. It is not just a good thing to do it also keeps us in touch with the Lord and focused on Him.
We may not be able to put headphones on as some Olympic participants do but we ought to determine that we are going to look for the Lord at work in our day, and thank Him every time we spot Him doing something. Distractions and distracters will always be there, waving and shouting and screaming, but a champion knows nothing need hold them back. We can go for gold in our own lives if we keep our eyes on Jesus and truly focus on the race He has marked out for us to run.
Your Friend and Pastor
Shaun