"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Source and perfecter of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Suddenly, the Chinese skater slightly bumped the American. With no time or space to get out of their way, the tangled mess caused the Canadian and Korean skaters to also spin out of control and join them in a tangled heap of arms and legs, careening into the wall.
The Australian skater, who was dead last, pushed by the heap and crossed the finish line. He won the Gold for no other reason than he crossed the finish line. He finished the race! He was not the fastest. He did not set any records. He simply didn’t quit or get tangled up in the mess around him.
Ohno ended up struggling forward and pushing his left skate over the finish line to get the silver medal. Ohno, who had hopes of getting four gold medals in the speed skating evernts suffered a gash in his inner thigh and had to be taken up to the medal ceremony in a wheelchair.
Yesterday's entry was about "Heroes of the Faith". Who is the hero of faith? The one who becomes extraordinary, the exception to the rule, simply by avoiding the entanglements of this world, and enduring the tests of this life with eyes fixed on Jesus.
Paul advised young Timothy: "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. " (2 Timothy 2:3-4)
The "things that entangle us" spiritually can come in many forms: illness, temptation, worry--the possibilities are endless. Not letting these things "trip us up" in our faith is no easy task. The one who endures, the one who doesn't get tripped up is promised a great reward.
~ Father, guard my heart and guide my steps. Amen.
It was February 16, 2002 at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. There were five finalists in the Men's 1,000 Meter Speed Skating Race. Apolo Anton Ohno of the USA said he was skating the best race of his life. The winner would receive the Olympic Gold medal.
During the final lap, Ohno and the Chinese were out front with the Canadian and Korean skaters hot on their heels. Australia skater Stephen Bradbury trailed behind, obviously destined for last place.Suddenly, the Chinese skater slightly bumped the American. With no time or space to get out of their way, the tangled mess caused the Canadian and Korean skaters to also spin out of control and join them in a tangled heap of arms and legs, careening into the wall.
The Australian skater, who was dead last, pushed by the heap and crossed the finish line. He won the Gold for no other reason than he crossed the finish line. He finished the race! He was not the fastest. He did not set any records. He simply didn’t quit or get tangled up in the mess around him.Ohno ended up struggling forward and pushing his left skate over the finish line to get the silver medal. Ohno, who had hopes of getting four gold medals in the speed skating evernts suffered a gash in his inner thigh and had to be taken up to the medal ceremony in a wheelchair.
Yesterday's entry was about "Heroes of the Faith". Who is the hero of faith? The one who becomes extraordinary, the exception to the rule, simply by avoiding the entanglements of this world, and enduring the tests of this life with eyes fixed on Jesus.
Paul advised young Timothy: "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. " (2 Timothy 2:3-4)
The "things that entangle us" spiritually can come in many forms: illness, temptation, worry--the possibilities are endless. Not letting these things "trip us up" in our faith is no easy task. The one who endures, the one who doesn't get tripped up is promised a great reward.
~ Father, guard my heart and guide my steps. Amen.
1 comment:
I loved this story. Thanks for sharing it.
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