Monday; February 23

I think I have a new favorite Winter Olympic sport.  I would say that curling is tough to beat, but Ski Mountaineering (aka skimo) is pretty compelling.  I had never heard of the sport until I learned there was a participant from where we used to live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  Even that connection wasn’t enough to make me do too much research, but as soon as I started watching, I was hooked.  I believe it is one of the toughest events in the games.  First of all, skiing uphill is bad enough, but having to do that AND run up steps in ski boots is brutal.  You would think that the downhill portion might be a break, but by that time in the race I assume your legs are on fire to the point that just staying erect would be challenging.  The sport requires training, commitment and developing muscle memory!  Yep – it is cool to watch … Nope – I am not going to sign-up to try it! 

As I reflected on it, these are some of the same requirements that faithful Christians must posses.  We must be willing to learn what we need to do, then put it into practice.  Once we do that, we have to be willing to keep going even when things get tough.  In fact, there may be times we are called to remain faithful by just doing what we have been trained to do – even when our heart might be broken and our mind is stressed to the max.  In an example for us, after Jesus had spent hours on the cross, He used every bit of effort He had to complete His mission.  Luke describes it this way, “And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” (Luke 23:46).  His course wasn’t easy, but He left a lasting legacy of success and salvation. 

Living the life we have been called to live might not always mean gliding downhill to the finish line – are we willing to put in the effort to win the prize?  The next time we face challenges, let’s remember the Olympians who rely on their training and commitment to win the prize by just keeping up the effort – even when it hurts.

Think About It!


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