I’m not a fast swimmer. I’m not a fast runner. And if I played against the US women’s volleyball team, I’d probably get spiked in the face. While I can’t personally relate to the level of athletic excellence on display at the Olympics, there’s something captivating about watching a representative of your own country compete for gold. I’ve enjoyed following gymnastics, swimming and other sports I didn’t even know existed with Aliza during the last week. It’s an opportunity to behold the glory of our Creator who made and upholds every fiber of the human body!
My favorite part of the Olympics, however, is observing what happens immediately after a particular race or event. A man or woman has just won a gold medal. It’s the culmination of 4 years of grueling training and devotion…what happens next? Some cry. Some raise their hands with exaltation. Some shout and dance around. And some demonstrate exemplary humility and sportsmanship. Several times I observed swimmers jumping lane lines after a race to hug one of their competitors, to “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Rom. 12:15). A 41 year-old swimmer, Dara Torres, actually stopped the semifinal women’s 50 meter free just before the starting gun because she noticed Therese Alshammar of Sweden had a tear in her swimsuit which would cause it to fill with water during the race. Last night the US women’s discus gold medalist when asked how she managed to win said, “I feel like God gave me a lot of grace”.
None of these events make the front page headlines, but I believe these are the moments God watches most closely. No one gets an Olympic award for “Most Humble”. Yet Isaiah 66:2 declares, “This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” As you follow Olympics over the next week, be on the look-out for examples of humility. And if you’re a parent, seize the opportunity to remind your children of what wins acclaim in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. Because it’s His approval that ultimately matters.
- Matthew
Last week, I had the privilege to accompany 14 17-23 year-olds from KingsWay to “The Clash”, a Sovereign Grace Christian Worldview Camp at Messiah College in Grantham, PA. Since returning on Saturday, numerous people have asked me, “How was it?” My typical response has been, “An amazing experience. My head and heart are full (in a good way). I built meaningful friendships with our people, as well as those from other churches.” I am so grateful to God for Jeff Purswell and Nathan Sasser, who organized and taught at “The Clash”. Also, getting to hear Dr. D.A. Carson for a whole day was quite a blessing. This was a week full of sound doctrine taught for the purpose of worship and foundation-building. Add onto that rich Biblical Fellowship with new and old friends. What an amazing week we had!
Listen to this testimony from Amy Roberts:
“Monday after ‘The Clash’ I got into a conversation with a Catholic co-worker over how to know which religion has the right perspective, the nature of man, homosexuality, the reliability of the Bible, and more. To make a long story short, a conversation he and I had two weeks ago caused him to ask questions of the purity of the Catholic church. Equipped with Nathan Sasser’s (who taught several times during our week) worldview evaluation tactics, I quickly observed that his worldview was based on self, not God, and thought of more than a few ways to correct his faulty theology. But what Nathan said about Scripture being self-authenticating (and it’s redeeming POWER) came to the front of my mind. I mentioned to him that many of his questions could be answered by simply going to the source of Christianity: the Bible. Today I gave him a paperback ESV and recommended he start in John and read Romans 3. He took the Bible and wrote down my suggestions.
It’s not every day that your co-worker is eager to read the Bible and find truth. How kind of God to give me an opportunity to interact with someone so hungry directly after a week-long worldview/apologetics/bible doctrine conference! I don’t think the dialogue between my co-worker and I is over. I’m praying for wisdom when to speak and when to listen, when to let the Spirit work apart from my mouth and when the Spirit wants to work through my words. I trust that God is completely sovereign to call Bryan to Himself at any point. I’m just praying that He does.”
Thank you Amy for applying what you learned and for being faithful to God by engaging with your friend about issues that matter! I’m looking forward to hearing how God is at work in you and through you, as well as the other people that went to “The Clash”. The Clash will be taking place again in 2010.
- Steve
It’s been about a month since we returned from Youth Camp at JMU. Wow! Hard to believe Summer is almost over. Though the many songs, conversations and late night snacks are a distant memory, I’m so thankful God used the conference to lay spiritual foundations that will last for years to come. Here’s one testimony from Savannah Smith, a 16 year-old young lady from KingsWay.
“During worship God really touched my heart, and challenged me to be obedient to him and not let fear of man control me. He not only tested me once, but twice, and I’m grateful for both opportunities. The first time was when He told me to go to the ministry mic. I had gone up the night before with the same word but had not been able to share it, and I thought going up a second time with the same word would be “against the rules.” But God was urging me and with some encouragement from a friend I went up and was able to share my word. The second testing was still during worship. As we sang the last two songs, God really opened my eyes to see what he did on the cross for me. Completely overwhelmed I felt led to kneel down before God, it took a little while to swallow my pride. So I slowly kneeled down on the ground, my entire body was shaking and my breath was short and all the words I sang didn’t come out, closed my eyes and I just reached out my hands. When I did this I felt God’s pleasure and it brought tears of joy and thankfulness to my eyes. I wasn’t focusing on what others thought of me anymore, I was focused on God’s presence.”
Thanks, Savannah, for honoring God through your example!
- Matthew
