Cool Runnings: Peace Be The Journey


“Cool Runnings!”

Perhaps you remember this comical movie about the Jamaican bobsled team. Although the movie was a comedy, it was based on the true story. Jamaica has brought a bobsled team to the Olympics more than once, and this year their women have a bobsled team as well. The picture above is of their athletes.

I love the Olympics! There's something unique about seeing so many different countries come together. I love seeing athletes from different countries congratulating one another for their performances, and I am sometimes awed by the different participants abilities.

I remember watching a race in the Summer Olympics with the crowd cheering as my mind went to the passage in Hebrews on running.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne." Hebrews 12:1-2

Life is a lot like a race, and the Bible uses a foot race more than once to describe it. Just as a young athlete may aspire to be like one who went before them, we have the example of Jesus our champion. Paul wrote about athletes to the Corinthians with these words;

"All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize." I Corinthians 9:25.

We are now 2 weeks away from the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in South Korea. There’s no track and field in the winter games, but there’s plenty of racing and a lot of competing. As we see the athletes competing this year may it remind us of our need to be disciplined in our spiritual walks.

The race of life may seem long at times, but let's keep our eyes on Jesus. Great will be our reward.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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