I watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics yesterday. As I watched hundreds of athletes come through those gates, I thought about the hard work they’ve gone through just to get to this moment… a lifelong dream for most of them. They are their country’s champion. Then I thought about each of them… only a few of them will make it. Only a few will stand on that podium to receive a medal. For many of them, their moment of glory fades away after they return home. They trained and disciplined only to have their Olympic dream crushed.
Did you know that the Olympics began in 776 BC and continued until the 4th century? These are the ancient games. So the apostle Paul knew all about the Olympics and the training it took to get there. I love that uses this illustration to make a GREAT point about the race we’re in…the Kingdom we’re representing. In fact, did you know that EVERYONE who runs this race and stays in the race is a champion? That’s right! You are a CHAMPION in heaven. Let’s examine the difference between an Olympic athlete and a Heavenly athlete.
The prize! Our verse in 1 Corinthians 9 says that the Olympic athlete runs to get a prize that will fade (a temporary prize), but the Heavenly athlete will get a prize that will last (a permanent prize)… an eternal prize. Nothing can take it away. It will NEVER be put on a shelf somewhere to collect dust, but will be shining in the heavens forever.
The glory! The Olympic athlete will get a moment of glory. For some it might last a few years or more, but it’s really only a moment. But the Heavenly athlete will receive eternal glory. The Olympic athlete might get the chance to hear the applause of their family, friends, and their country. But the Heavenly athlete will hear the applause of heaven.
The robe! The Olympic athlete will be adorned in a jacket with the Olympic symbol and embroidered with their country’s flag. The Heavenly athlete is clothed in God’s righteousness. We read in Isaiah 61:10: “I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me in the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness.”
Let me ask you… Are you running in the race that is eternal… the one where everlasting prizes are handed out? Because if you are, you are a winner, a CHAMPION. And when you cross that finish line, you will hear all of heaven’s host clapping and applauding for YOU. Now, this is a reward I look forward to. How about you? Keep running… it will be so worth it in the end.