Saturday, August 23, 2008

No Gold Medals - August 23, 2008

Good Saturday morning! The Lord has blessed me with a working Internet connection this morning! I suppose the talk of Michael Phelps will die down in a day or two. Not! When Mark Spitz did his thing back in '72, I was but a sprout and people still work that into articles and conversation to this day. I remember the hoopla over that accomplishment and Mr. Phelps has exceeded even that. Compare that with those we consider to be heroes of the faith, and count how many gold medals they won. Only a few were even concerned with the physical tests that the Olympics pose. Certainly King David would have won a medal or two had he competed as a young man, and Samson might have set all-time records in strength events, but most of our Bible heroes were not men of great physical strength or surpassing athletic skill. No, most of our faith heroes were much like you and I, just people. I am reminded that more than a few of our faith heroes were not even men. Today, we would call that a sexist omission and hoist the author up a feminist flagpole. However, back in the Bible days, women were often included in the tally of a man's possessions, usually after the cows, goats, and sheep. I am glad that Jesus changed that by raising up women in honor.

Men, women, or children, our Bible heroes may or may not have excelled in athletic contests, but all of them are venerated for one thing... their faith in Jesus. Many only looked forward to the coming of Messiah, but many others sprang from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to spread the Good News while enduring tremendous hardship. We have all of them to thank for their life's stories that show us how we too can be saved and grow in Christ. I like the stories of their character flaws and mistakes; those stories remind me that Jesus loves us all, just as we are.

Praise God for the joy of knowing Jesus!

Bucky

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