I have been dealing with a bout of laryngitis these last several days. I tend to lose my voice just before I show symptoms of a cold, but in this case, it’s likely been brought on due to the smoke particulates in the air due to forest fires in British Columbia. Upsets me that as much as I would like to take advantage of warm, summer days, I’m stuck inside. Thankfully, watching Olympics from Tokyo has kept me well occupied.

Go, Canada, Go!

I have been immersed in the individual stories, those who have won medals, but mostly those who have not. Unfortunately, not all the athletes will win medals, in fact out of 11,091 expected to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, only a total of 339 medals will be awarded across 33 sports. The reality is that the majority of athletes will come back from the competition without a medal. Despite this, everyone competes at the Olympics with a medal in mind, and they strive to do their very best whether they stand on the winner’s podium or not. I am reminded of a great truth from Scripture: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9: 24-27)

The Apostle Paul likely had in mind the Olympic Games as well as the Isthmian games which took place every other year in Corinth for this metaphor to have optimal meaning. His point to the Corinthian church was for them to do whatever they could to win the prize, not as athletic competitors, but running a spiritual race in pursuit of Jesus Christ so they would at the end win eternal glory.

A few weeks ago, we were able to once again return to our local recreation centre after Covid restrictions were lifted. My husband, an avid weight lifter, has set some personal goals to get back in shape after Covid lockdowns. He pushes his limits and strives for more. Me? I walk the indoor track, and basically hope I don’t trip over my own two feet!

I pray I don’t show the same limited effort when it comes to my spiritual walk with God. In truth, I might need to pick up the pace!