How to Become an Olympic Athlete

This past week I’ve been able to catch a bit of the Olympics. As I watch, I am constantly amazed by the athletes. It’s incredible to see the way they run, swim, throw, jump, shoot, etc. Even the losers are spectacular to watch, no less the winners. And then there are those who are breaking world records! It’s an incredible show of power, speed, balance, and focus. How many times I’ve thought to myself, I wish I could run like that or swim like that…or do something like that! 

A lot of people dream of becoming an Olympic athlete, but few actually make it. For one, for most of sports, there’s a genetic component. For example, world class pole vaulters are all very, very tall whereas gymnasts are usually quite small. And there is the natural talent component—i.e., something innate that creates a great potential for a particular set of athletic endeavors. Most of all, however—and this is what amazes me the most—is the hours and weeks and years of discipline and training. After all, one might be born with the right body type and lots of innate talent, but without the constant discipline and training, he or she will never become a world class athlete. Thus, what we see before us in an event like the Olympics is the culmination of hours upon hours spent on a track, in a pool, in a boat, on a court, etc. 

The Apostle Paul understood this from his own day. Thus he wrote, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.” (1 Corinthians 9:25 – NIV)  The principle that is true today, was true then: No athlete wins—or even competes—without discipline and training. 

When Paul wrote those words, however, he was not just interested in the athletic events of his day. Rather, he was most interested in, even concerned that, the same kind of discipline and training would be applied to the lives of those to whom he was writing—i.e., to followers of Jesus. He goes on to say, “They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (vs. 25b-27) 

Paul knew that the same kind of discipline that creates an Olympic athlete is needed in the life of the believer. That means hour by hour, day after day, year after year doing the right things, building our spiritual lives, focusing our hearts and minds on what is ahead, and not allowing the passions and inclinations of our bodies to dictate the way we live. Paul understood that to win the prize—the crown of eternal life—takes more than a wish or a hope, but the same patient endurance and discipline found in every Olympic athlete. 

Discipline is hard. At times there is little joy found in the routines and rituals of the training. But ask any Olympic athlete whether or not it was worth it; I believe each one will say, it was. The same is so much more true for our spiritual lives. No matter how hard the discipline and training might seem right now, one day we will look back and see that truly it was worth it all! After all, there is no better prize than the “crown that will last forever.” 

“Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (vs. 24b) 

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris