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Christian to Christian

How appropriate for the Winter Olympics to fall during Lent!  I’m a big fan of the Olympics.  I watch almost every evening – often staying up past my bed time to see the amazing feats of such accomplished athletes.  I’m also a big fan of Lent as a special spiritual season for Christians. I always select one or more of the classic disciplines in the Bible and in Jesus’ own life to stretch my spiritual muscles for these 40 days.

The Olympics are great this year, even though plagued by warm weather and mishaps including the tragic death during luge practice.  There are always problems to overcome in any Olympics, and there is usually some controversy either politically or in the judging.  But that’s part of the challenge of this athletic contest that hones the skills of the athletes. That’s what the Olympics and all athletics are about, showing enough determination and discipline, in the face of whatever stands in the way, to excel in their sport.

I marvel at Lindsey Vonn, who overcame a severely bruised shin to win gold in the downhill and bronze in the Super G.  Anton Apolo Ono overcame a near fall on the ice when a competitor laid a hand on his back to still win bronze in short track speed skating. He now has 7 medals, surpassing Bonnie Blair for the most of any US winter Olympian. Shawn White was spectacular winning gold in the half pipe with his fabulous “McTwist!” Bode Miller came back from a disastrous run in the last Olympics to win skiing gold silver and bronze in three events. Meryl Davis and Charlie White just won silver in ice dancing with their awesome beauty and precision together on the ice.  And that’s just a few of the US athletes, not to mention all the fantastic competitors from other nations as well! 

It’s all about discipline and determination— practice, practice, and more practice.  Yes, there is native talent, but it would be nothing without honing that skill over and over again with rigorous work, even when it’s hard, even when it hurts, even when it’s dangerous.  That’s what Lent is about, too. It’s about taking on the necessary spiritual discipline to excel in our faith, to grow stronger in our spirits, to develop our spiritual muscles in a way that draws us closer to God.  It’s taking the faith God has given us and building it to gold!

Lent is our faith training, even against the challenges the world throws in our way, even when it hurts, even when it seems too difficult.  Lent is getting up and going at it again as we stretch and hone our souls, as we discipline ourselves spiritually to achieve the goal that Christ wants for us.  As Paul says, “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge will give me on that day.” (II Timothy 4:7-8)

I hope you will choose a spiritual discipline this Lent – an extra practice of prayer, fasting, Bible study, giving, or Christian service.  I hope you will draw inspiration from the Olympic athletes, from strong faithful Christians, and from Jesus Christ to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” (Heb. 12:1-2)  Will you meet me at his table each Lord’s day to be fed and strengthened for the journey?

May Christ’s Strength Grow in You!

Pastor Joe

 

 

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