For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,
holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:8
Top athletes from all over converge in the Olympics to compete for the gold, silver, and bronze medals in their areas of athletic prowess. Many have been in training almost all of their lives for these two weeks of competition. Unfortunately, the majority of the athletes will go home empty-handed. They will not take any medals home, but will lose by milliseconds or millimeters and forever second-guess themselves.
They at least had the thrill of competing for the gold, while most of humanity spent their lives “sitting in the stands.” While the rest were spectators, they were the participants, and all the eyes of the world were on them.
The Bible teaches that the eyes of the universe are also on you. You too are involved in running a marathon race—and it is literally the race of your life. As exciting as the Olympics are, your race has eternal consequences. It will result in a clear win-or-lose finish.
Although God is impartial in His judgments (Acts 10:34; 1 Peter 1:17), I want you to know that He wants you to win—not only for time, but also for eternity! He did not send His Son to die so that you would be a loser. He died and rose again to make you a winner in the game of life. And to help ensure that, He has made His Holy Spirit totally available to live within you and empower you to be a spiritual winner. Also, our Master Coach has not left us without a “sports manual” to help train us for victory. It is known as the Bible, and it speaks a great deal about running and competing.
The Apostle Paul often traveled and worked in places like Greece and Corinth, where the Olympics were held every few years. Is it any wonder, then, that Paul uses so many athletic metaphors or figures of speech to illustrate his own Christian life? He especially emphasized this when he was writing to a young spiritual athlete he was coaching and mentoring: Timothy.
Paul reminded Timothy of the unique benefits of a total workout that includes body, mind, and spirit. He did not in any way discourage or disparage the importance of “physical training.” However, he did point out the superiority of spiritual training that resulted in “godliness.”
How are you doing in the game of life? How do you feel you are running? Are you sitting in the stands, or are you competing on the field? Do you feel that you are winning or losing in your spiritual Olympics? What kind of award do you feel the Judge of the universe will give you when you stand before Him?
Paul summarized his own Christian life with athletic metaphors. He could say in humble confidence to young Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
May you and I strive to be that kind of spiritual athlete. May we, too, be the kind of Christian champions who start well, run well, win well, and end well. By His grace may we also stand on the winner’s platform and receive the medal we will wear for all eternity—for God’s glory!