This week, Kristin Armstrong, a 43 year-old wife and mother, won a Gold Medal in the women’s time trial at the Rio Olympics. It was her third Gold Medal in the same cycling event in consecutive Olympic games (2008, 2012, 2016). No one else has ever done that in the history of Olympic cycling…and no one else has earned a Gold at the tender age of nearly 43 (she was one day short of her 43rd birthday on race day). After her victory, she spoke of “balance” and the constant rigors of training. It’s one thing to discipline a 22 year-old body for physical exertion. It’s something altogether different to put a 42 year-old body through the same same tough discipline, but that’s what it takes to be a champion.
Paul spoke of the same kind of discipline with respect to spiritual champions (I Cor. 9:24-27). He said (paraphrasing), “Everyone runs, but only one wins the Gold. So, run like you mean to win. Competitors keep their bodies under control to win earthly rewards. We need to keep our bodies under control, too, because the prize we are working to win is eternal. So, I run with that goal in mind. I fight with purpose. I discipline my body because I don’t want to lose!”
God help us to have the drive of an Olympic champion in our service to the Lord.