August, 2024 – Faithful Living® ~
How blessed the world was to see and experience the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
According to Wikipedia, there were 329 events featuring 32 different sports while representing 48 different disciplines. Most witnessed this spectacular electronically and others were fortunate to attend in person. Watching from the comfort of our living room gave us an excellent perch for many events.
Frankly, I couldn’t get enough of it. If Becky and I play our cards right and the Lord agrees, maybe we can personally attend the 2028 Los Angeles Games. However, there is something to be said about traveling outside the United States to become immersed in different cultures. Capturing the magic and excitement centered around the Olympics, summer or winter, would definitely check a bucket list box.
Appreciating the greatest athletes in the world participating at the highest level was amazing. The term GOAT [Greatest of All Time] has been bestowed on a number of athletes who have excelled above any in their sport. Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, Michael Phelps and others. More ‘Goats’ are on the horizon…it’s only a matter of time.
For me, beyond all the medals and the parading of the athletes’ country flags during the commencement and after final events; beyond all the competition in witnessing the displays of victory and the disappointment of defeat, emerged champions of the faith. Against extreme odds and possible persecution, they unequivocally acknowledged the One who bestowed on them the ability to shine brightly. Those who showed grace and confidence, poise and humility in honoring Jesus, was the icing on the cake.
Despite ridicule and rejection, nevertheless, these Christ followers spoke on this international platform of their faith and belief in Christ. The encouragement from these athletes in the spotlight will, for many years to come, illumine the path for others to follow. These ambassadors for Christ deflected the attention away from themselves and placed it directly on our Lord. One person in this class immediately comes to mind. At 24, this multi-Goat sensation is Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Giving God the glory was her highest priority.
What a stage. What a platform. What a witness.
If with heart and soul you’re doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath. It’s better to suffer for doing good, if that’s what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That’s what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others’ sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God. 1 Peter 3:15-18 MSG
I am certain that there were other competitors in Paris that believe in Christ as their Savior but contradictorily, they see their faith as a private matter and not for public scrutiny. They continue to remain secret agents. If the truth be told, would God place you in this category?
Let me state this as clear as I can. Maybe you are the only one that Jesus will send to share your story [testimony] and build relationship with a specific individual [that Christ died for] before this leave this life. No pressure. Seriously, no pressure. But, our responsibility is to take a step of faith. All Jesus asks is that we share, and let Him by the power of the Spirit, do the rest.
But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims, “A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God!” But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to. Romans 10:14-17 MSG
Maybe you are reading this and deep in your heart of hearts up until now, you have been blinded by lies and have not been presented with this urgent plea to listen, meditate and then, feeling the nudge of the Holy Spirit, to move forward and act. You can be a Romans-Ten-Niner too!
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 MSG
For those who with repentant hearts call on Jesus to save them forever, let me tell you from personal experience…He is faithful and true.