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With
London hosting the 2012 Olympic Games, the
issue of sport is high on the nation’s
agenda. It was the ancient Greeks who gave
us the Olympic legacy. For them, to be involved
in the games was not just a sport; it was
to embody the Greek way of life, to embrace
Greek culture, politics and religion. The
amphitheatre was a place of learning and a
school for life, not just physical excellence.
This was the cause of some considerable tension
between the temple at Jerusalem and the Hellenised
occupation. To take part in the games meant
compromising your faith and being unfaithful
to God. So attractive was the pull of the
amphitheatre that even temple workers would
look for ways to sneak off and attend!
The context may have shifted in our present
day (and unlike the ancient Greeks we keep
our clothes on!), but the tension between
what we do with our lives and how we honour
God is still as relevant today as it was then.
There are lots of sport-based metaphors in
the Bible to help us think about what it means
to devote ourselves to God. |
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The New Testament tells us our bodies
are God’s temple (1Corinthians
3:16), so we need to look after our
bodies. Sport is one way of doing that.
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Paul uses Olympic imagery in his
encouragement to keep focused and press
on for Christ. ‘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.’
1Corinthians 9:25 |
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Christians are running in a different
kind of race; one that has eternal consequences.
The starter’s pistol has fired,
our race has started and we should run
to win, ‘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.’
1Corinthians 9:24. |
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It’s a race that requires discipline
and discipleship; perseverance and prayer.
Scripture implores us not to wander
aimlessly through our Christian life
(1Corinthians 9:26), believers are people
on a mission. Paul also applied the
race to his own ministry (Galatians
2:2). |
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Sport can be
the conduit in which we can serve God and
bring individuals and groups of people together.
Whether through the status the sports gives
or our organisational skill in assisting others
to benefit from the activity. The opportunity
to provide role models and build friendships
is part of what being a person a faith is
all about (Ephesians 5:1-2). However we use
our time, we all have one goal.
The seriousness which can be afforded to all
of these actions is reflected for Paul when
he talks of the ultimate prize, ‘…
Forgetting what is behind and straining towards
what is ahead, I press on towards the goal
to win the prize for which God has called
me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians
3:13-14. |
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Check
out Games references:
Acts 20:24
1Corthians 9:24:27
Galatians 2:2
Philippians 2:16; 3:12-14
Hebrews 12:1
Read:
A Time to Jump: The Authorised Biography
of Jonathan Edwards ISBN: 0002740729 |
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