Focusing on the Prize

The Olympics started yesterday in London.  Thousands of athletes have tirelessly trained to win a medal.  Some of those athletes will also be albe to market themselves and obtain a monetary gain, especially if you are an athlete in a glamour sport such as swimming, gymnastics or track and field.

On the other hand, Christians are called to "fix your eyes on Jesus."  Our prize is pleasing our Lord.  We train to glorify Him, and we do this chiefly through serving others with a selfless love.  He called us to this through his example with his disciples when he washed their feet just prior to the Last Supper.  There is no applause for this.  There is no monetary reward.  The person we serve may not even express their appreciation.  In fact, those we serve may even be our enemy.  I think Jesus said something about loving them as well!

But Lord, I really like the applause.  I really like the money.  My flesh wants to go in the opposite direction of what you have called me to.  Now I'm not saying there is anything wrong with wanting to be an olympic athlete.  As a Christian, the real question is whether you are doing it to glorify yourself or the Lord. 

Karen Zando is a long term Campus Crusade ministry worker that we support, and she is serving as a Chaplain for the Olympics in London.  She is meeting with the athletes and holding Bible studies and leading worship services.  She is also working to make the Word available to athletes who are unbelievers.  She shares that this is an exciting time where many people from all over the world gather in one place for this great international event, and that this gives Christians the opportunity to serve their neighbor through presenting the life-giving Gospel.  Her eyes are fixed on Jesus.  Let's pray Karen will have many opportunities to present the Gospel to unbelievers at the Olympics.

I'm sure in Kenya the Cassell family continues to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus.  Of course, Kenya is crazy for their runners, and the nation will be focused on what their athletes will do in track and field.  Let's pray that the Cassell family will find creative opportunities to share the Gospel through the connection between running the race for Jesus as opposed to just getting a gold medal.

Training Update
Weeks 1-9:       Walking Miles -   386          Running Miles -   313
Week 10:          Walking Miles -     50           Running Miles -    52
Total:                 Walking Miles -  436           Running Miles -   365 = 801

Pray that this blog gets out to other believers so they may be encouraged.