I havenāt left my couch much lately. The Winter Olympics has stolen my heart.
My husband was a competitive track athlete in high school and college. His attraction to the games is automatic and obvious. I, on the other hand, was the girl with a scowl and crossed arms in the middle of the soccer field, a general A student save her C in gym class, who avoided all sports at all costs, and still only attends Super Bowl parties for the guacamole. Iāve always gravitated toward words, music, creativity, and beauty. The one and only time I ever care about sports is during the Olympics, especially those knee-deep in magnificent snow.
Iāve been wondering why. What makes this different? Iāve realized that what consistently draws me in is the story behind the sportāthe story that deepens the sport. What was at first simply a dedicated, disciplined, muscular person hurdling down a hill with all the right equipment, becomes a poetic, emotional experience of glory when you know the athleteās personal epic story. Few televised sports dig as deep into the struggles and triumphs of athletes as the Olympics does. Thatās what draws this beauty-lover in.
The married figure skating pairs team, Alexa Scimeca-Knierim and Chris Knierim, who walked in strong faith through a year of mysterious, life-threatening illness. Chloe Kim, the 17-year-old daughter of Korean-American immigrants winning snowboard gold in her country of heritage. The countless skiers, boarders, skaters, sledders, fighting for redemption after catastrophic injury. Documentary vignettes about proud grandparents and little sisters. Itās all beautiful. It all brings the viewer back to the real meaning behind exerting oneself for anything. We donāt really fight for medals. We fight for the most precious things in life. And our messiest stories inspire far beyond what mere discipline, talent, knowledge, or success ever can.
How does this relate to reaching those outside the faith?
Iāve started thinking about unbelievers as pre-sports fans. Someone who hasnāt met Jesus has little context for His beauty or worth. A Christianās arsenal of memorized verses, spiritual muscle, preaching talent, church attendance, and discipline are like big guys slamming into each other on a field or ice rink without the backstory. Then they meet you, a believer who freely opens their soul and tells it like it was without Jesusāand what it is like with Him.
We can so easily forget the wonder of His story, and how He continues to write it in us. Weāre like professional Christians, with the answers and the training and all the right equipment, but thatās all our witness is to an outsider before we truly let them into our raw testimony. The times we fell and didnāt think weād get back up, the tangible difference Jesus made in a specific, debilitating human struggle. The countless ways we fail, and how He champions us even then. These are the things that draw a human heart to know more.
What is your honest, messy, story with Jesus? Ask Him how to tell it. They donāt know it yet, but the watching world is aching to hear it.
My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. (Psalm 71:15-18 ESV)
So beautifuly written. So true!!!
You have left me inspired and delighted to have glimpsed for a moment into the words you have written and in so doing exposed for that moment the degree of His Spirit that fills you. Well written, well proclaimed!
Your story is still inspiring. Love the perspective it truly captures a significant truth. We have a story worth telling! When we do, it challenges, inspires and changes others.