Going for Gold

Three days after the spectacular opening ceremony highlighting the rich ancient history of China was received with exclamatory adulations and awe-amazement from spectators and billions of viewers, the Olympics games were well underway with each country’s representative athletes putting out all their best performances enhanced during their years of practice and trainings. But as in all games, only one will come out on top of the pack to claim the much coveted gold medal – the pinnacle of Olympic dreams.

History will tell us that the Olympic games originated in 1896 from the Athens of Greece where people have been showcasing their athleticism and skills. This international tradition carried out through the years has been, minus a few forgettable incidents, is one glaring proof that humanity can be united in peaceful competition with each other, where we can shed color, race, culture, backgrounds, beliefs and religion to live in harmony with each other. So there is hope for mankind after all.

Now going back to the Olympic games – two things can easily come to mind. First, the gold medal is made possible to be earned because of the holding of the Olympics each cyclic years of four. Second, gold is earned never by sheer luck, but by years of back-breaking and grueling training of each athlete.

Simply put, only the best deserves to win the quest for Olympic gold.

Finishing second and third will merit silver and bronze respectively.

Other than those, trying hard is not given any recognition at all.

Having said that, shouldn’t we all be mighty glad that our salvation isn’t played for like the Olympics? I mean, how could we, certified spiritual weaklings, match up against those big-time clutch and steady-under-the-pressure saints and biblical heroes. To name a few - Abraham offering his only son to be killed, Jacob wrestling with an angel, St. Peter dying a martyr’s death and our very own San Lorenzo Ruiz braving all inflicted and induced pain by their Japanese executioners, the tortures that could easily go away with a simple renunciation of his faith. Our faith compared to these warriors of God will be the most lop-sided over-matched faith competition the world can see.

But God’s ways is mind-bogglingly different from man’s thinking. And God’s gold is meant for all so nobody needs to be left out. Hence, as proof of His universal invitation, He sent our Lord Jesus, His only begotten son, to win the race of salvation for us. He made it possible by offering His most precious blood at the cross.

Needless to say, the work of salvation does not end at Calvary. We have our share to keep, in winning and claiming the top prize of being with Him for eternity. We need to keep on fighting a good fight of faith, notwithstanding personal struggles and tribulations. We need to focus on our goal, our life-mission and ultimately, our heavenly vision. We excitedly must look forward to the day when we can hear God’s almighty voice saying,” Well done, my faithful servant, welcome into my kingdom.”

I have competed well, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. – 2 Timothy 4:7

God bless.