It’s Just the Olympics

I’m pretty sure I’ve lost at least 14.395 hours of sleep to the Olympics. But the Winter Olympics only come once every four years, so I’m okay with that.

Besides the sleep thing, I really enjoy the Olympics. There’s just something about seeing people from all over the world come together to play games, and recognizing people have worked their whole lives to be an Olympian. I’m 24, and literally 23 years behind if I wanted to be in the Olympics. But I’m okay with that, because I’d rather not go 80 mph down a hill/track if I’m not secured by a 12-point harness, or sacrifice both my knees and other body parts to the snow or ice. But that’s just me.

What was I saying? Right, the Olympics. They’re pretty cool (pun intended). But I’ve always wondered what the point was. I mean, the accomplishment of being an Olympian is pretty fantastic, but beyond that, what happens? I suppose if you get like 28 gold medals there will be some sponsorships and money waiting for you, but other than that, it’s basically to show you’re the best and make a name for yourself, right?

Yeah, so?

Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s really cool that people can do all those crazy things on snow and ice. It’s definitely impressive. And I really like watching them do it (though I HATE seeing them wipeout!). But I can’t help but think this is “the pride of life” that is talked about in the Bible….

 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

I John 2:15-17

[An aside: Why do people believe the Bible is irrelevant when we have many clear examples of its words in everyday life? Ah, that’s a post for another day…]

Now, I don’t believe the Olympics are bad. Nor is being an Olympian, or watching the Olympics. But when our human selfishness makes the Olympics become the end-all-be-all of life, then there’s a problem. I mean, the Olympics are basically just for fun, right? Athletes aren’t getting salaries for going to the Olympics. So it’s about fame. And pride.

Perspective

Does God hate the Olympics? No, of course not. He made our bodies to do amazing things, and I think He likes watching the Olympics just as much as I do. But I think He wants us to know that the Olympics—and the other things of this world—are passing away. The world is on its way out. And all the Olympians, and academics, and CEOs, and political leaders, and all the high-power, lucrative positions that are so valued in this world are eventually going away.

But the will of God—it’s not going anywhere. And by the way— if you do the will of God, you’re going to live forever.

What’s the will of God, you ask? That’s easy. God’s will is that you believe that Jesus Christ, His Son, died for you so that you can be in Heaven with Him for eternity. His will is that you accept Christ as the only way to Heaven. (Read John 3 here.)

And you know what? Heaven is going to be WAY better than standing on a podium taking a bite of your gold medal. And it’s DEFINITELY way better than where the “pride of life” leads, that’s for sure.

Oh, and one more thing…Go USA! 

Next post: See what the Bible actually says about the Olympics!