Going For Gold!

Okay, I've always been a sucker for all the hype about the Olympics. I love watching highly trained competitors, who have spent years preparing for this one chance to win gold and nearly always overcoming some set-back or obstacle, throw all caution to the wind - beating all the odds - and crossing the finish line or completing their run or routine one-one-hundredth of a second or point ahead of the rest. I love it, but it really stresses me out! My stomach gets tense as I watch them compete, hoping they don't have that one slip, fall, or accident that will totally destroy all their hard work and years of preparation.
I love the passion of the Olympics too. Their desire to do their best, to represent their team, family, and country, and to stand on that metals platform is so strong that it brings out seemingly super-human performances. And when they win - wow - the joy, the screams, the cheers, the tears, and the emotions that are so strong they can't give a coherent response to the reporter who always asks the same crazy question, "What does it mean to you to win a gold metal?" Duh! They're crying and too choked up to talk! What do you think it means?
Wouldn't it be fun if Children of God showed the same passion about our victory, that means eternal streets of gold, as the Olympians show about a little gold metal on a ribbon? Someone groans, "Salvation is a lot more serious than an Olympic game." I wish more of us where even half as serious about running our race as those Olympic competitors are about theirs. And where is it written that salvation is so "serious" that outward expressions of passion are inappropriate? We've got "joy unspeakable" and "peace that passes comprehension" not to mention the fact that we "rejoice always".
I've mentioned to my church family several times that I think we're all going to be surprised to see how angels rejoice in heaven. Our reaction when someone is "born again" and added to the Kingdom of God looks like a funeral wake compared to the singing and dancing God's angels are doing in heaven.
I love to see people who are passionate about what they believe and what they do. I like to see people who are emotionally connected to God and who are emotionally overwhelmed by his grace and love. Truth be known, our inhibitions come from our traditions and peer pressure. If winning an Olympic metal makes celebrations and tears expected, how much more should victory in Jesus and receiving an imperishable crown bring out a passionate response in us?
Next time someone asks you what you're doing, tell them "I'm going for the gold! Want to join the team?" Just say it like you mean it!