~ Mick's Memo ~

Mick’s Memo—Olympic Efforts

The dedication of the Olympic athletes always catches my attention.  With their events spaced out by 4 years and their chances of actually making the team quite slim and their chances of winning a medal even slimmer; they display amazing focus. 

The apostle Paul borrows that athletic imagery to make a very important point.

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. {25} 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. {26} Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. {27} No, I beat 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(NIV) 

In the preceding Paul is discussing his motivations for sacrificial pursuit of God’s work with his life.  He is willing to be all things to all men so that he might win some and fulfill his calling from God.  God has a high calling for all of us, not just famous apostles like Paul.  We all possess gifts, abilities and resources which can be empowered by God for great things.  The problem we typically have is not one of means, but of will or desire.  The competitive athlete displays an amazing will to win.  They may not always finish first, but they are always aspiring to win the prize.  They say “no” to social opportunities, destructive foods or habits and many other options in life to pursue their goal.  In another place Paul puts it this way…

            I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me          heavenward in Christ Jesus.         Philippians 3:14 (NIV) 

Have you heard God’s calling--calls toward compassionate service, toward pure thoughts and wholesome speech, toward involvement in His body, the local church?  What distractions or competing calls have interrupted your pursuit of His best for you?  What do you think it would be like to stand in Jesus’ presence and receive the prize He designed just for you?

This weekend we will continue to look at building that “dream house” out of our lives based on God’s transforming words and work.

Hoping to see you!

Mick