I Have Kept the Faith

The daughter of one of our colleagues is competing in the Olympic trials in swimming. She has placed very high, and we’re praying she will get a spot on the US Olympic team. As I talked to John Fuller about his daughter, I was reminded of Tom Brady. In 2021 he began his 22nd season at the age of 44. He has earned seven Super Bowl rings, enabling him to be crowned with the title G.O.A.T.  – greatest of all time! Tom Brady has worked his whole life to achieve perfection in the sport of football. John Fuller’s daughter is doing the same thing. She gets up early every day to swim and compete in aquatics.

In I Corinthians 9:24, Paul recognizes that athletes exhibit discipline, but no matter how hard they train, their glory will ultimately fade. Paul says we have the opportunity to live for Jesus in a way that effects eternity, implying that if an athlete strives for momentary glory, how much more should we who are living prepare for “a crown that will last forever.” (v. 25)

In ancient times, Corinth hosted major games for all Grecians every two years. Running, boxing, wrestling, discus, the long jump, chariot racing, poetry reading and singing were all events in which athletes could compete. In II Timothy 4:7-8, Paul says: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day.”

We don’t train to earn salvation. We realize how wondrous our salvation is. Our salvation reshapes our priorities, our perspectives, and the way we live every day. Our faith guides our living each day so we can live in God’s strength.

Prayer  – Father, teach me to live a disciplined life in response to Your love. Disciplined living is an attempt to live for You, not an attempt to earn something. Amen.

Corinthians 9:25 – “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.”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: Serena Repice Lentini, Dave Adamson & James Wheeler, courtesy of Unsplash