The Olympics are over, and though the torch was extinguished ten days ago, my family is still experiencing withdrawals. Since we had waited four long years to enjoy this spectacle of summer sport, we took in all we could— morning, afternoon, and prime time. Most days we avoided media outlets which announced winners and results as events occurred, and instead, waited until evening to watch the finals together as though they were live. Most days. But sometimes I just had to know and would check on the sly to see who won. Why? Why couldn’t I just wait and find out? Why did I have to look and see?
Part was curiosity. Part was impatience. But the main reason was excitement , and so I read ahead. Guess what happened! Instead of causing me to lose interest in the evening broadcast, I excitedly anticipated watching it all play out. I could enjoy the details of each moment because I was assured of the outcome at the end. I didn’t have to wonder or fret because knowing who stood on the victor’s podium to receive the medals removed nervousness and anxiety of what might happen.
Our Christian lives should be a lot like my Olympics—but with nothing on the sly. On the contrary, we are encouraged and instructed to read ahead, and in verses throughout the Old and New Testaments we find that at the finals death and the devil are defeated, the conquering Christ calls us to Himself, wipes the tears from our eyes, eliminates our mourning, crying, and pain, makes all things new, and we will live together with God forever in His glory and His grace. Knowing ahead of time about this amazing finish will surely not cause us to lose interest in life but should only increase our anticipation of our part in the action. Because we know who stands as ultimate Victor, we don’t have to wonder or fret about what might happen, and our nervousness and anxiety about His provision and protection should be removed. We can enjoy (or endure, depending on the circumstances) the details of the moment because we are assured of the outcome at the end, and no matter how hard or long the race, we always have hope.
Because we know what
happens tomorrow, we can live with hope today.
Make the most of your race.
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