Hello ,
2002 Winter Olympic Men's 1000 Meter Speed Skating Race - A number of years ago, at the 2002 Winter Olympics, there were five finalist for the Men's 1000 Meter Speed Skating Race.
During the final lap, the American and Chinese were
out front with the Canadian and Korean skaters hot on their heels. Australia trailed behind obviously destined for last place. As they came around the last curve for the final straightaway stretch, everyone gathered around our television were on the edge of their seats cheering for America to pull out in front. The winner would receive the Olympic Gold medal.
Suddenly, the Chinese skater slightly bumped the American and sent both of them careening into the wall as they spun out of control. With no time or space to get out of their way, the tangled mess caused the Canadian and Korean skaters to also spin out of control and join them in a tangled heap of arms and legs. The Australian skater pushed by the heap and shouted to the top of his lungs as he crossed the finish line, "Gold! I won the Gold!"
What an
incredible parallel we can draw from this story. You see, he won the Gold for no other reason than he crossed the finish line. He finished the race! He was not the fastest. He did not set any records. He just simply didn't quit or get tangled up in the mess around him. Let me challenge you to read 2 Timothy 4:7 today and contemplate its meaning.
Have a great day and God bless!