GOLD MEDAL CHRISTIAN
The course was icy, bumpy, and dangerous. The shin was bruised, swollen, and even tough to walk on, let alone ski. The expectations of others were higher than the mountain itself. In the minds of many, Lindsey Vonn was to be to American Skiing what Michael Phelps was to swimming: the way to Olympic glory.
Her parents, family, and friends waited at the bottom of the menacing course hoping for the best but fearing the worst. They too had sacrificed much in order to see Lindsey’s dream come true. Now everything hinged on this maddening 65 m.p.h. trek. Twisting around turns and between flags, Vonn push aside the doubts and silent whispers in her mind that urged her to quit. 1 minute 44.19 seconds later Lindsey finished her course, won the race, and was crowned Olympic champion.
The women’s downhill event was a 2 minute microcosm of the Christian life. There are plenty of reasons offered to cause us to give up pursuing Jesus. Think of the friends you’ll lose, the fun you’ll miss, the hardships you’ll face. Then there’s the course itself. Others have tried to pursue Jesus and have failed. What makes you think you’ll be any different? And then our past track record hasn’t been perfect either. Why would Jesus accept you since you’ve failed him in the past?
Like Vonn, we too must choose not to listen to the doubts or the whispers of defeat. The only way we can win is if we finish the race. Paul modeled for us the very same when he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Let’s be honest with one another. There are times when the Christian life is difficult. Temptations to quit do threaten us all, and it’s true that none of us have run the perfect race. But at the end of the day we each must decide to finish the course. The really great news is that the reward is not given only to the best or the fastest or the first across the finish line, but to all who long to see Jesus.
No matter what’s happened thus far in the race toward heaven, don’t give up. We’re closer to the finish line than ever before.
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