Matthew 5:16 (New International Version)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that
they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
As we look back at the 2012 Summer Games I want to take a
moment and look at some of the athletes that weren’t afraid to share their
faith. As the top athletes gathered in London many were keeping their fans
involved through social networks like Twitter. The exciting part is that many
of the devout Christians shared that their desire in competing is more about
honoring God than striving for an Olympic medal.
(Lori)
Lolo Jones, who has been very candid about her difficulties with
staying celibate, has been open with followers on Twitter about her reason for
competing in the Olympics.
The 29-year-old track and field star thanked God Thursday
as she made her way to the Olympics Village: "As I arrive in London for
the Olympics, I'm overwhelmed with emotions. Thank you Lord for another chance
and for holding me as I waited."
She has also corrected fans who think her motivation in
competing is simply to win a medal.
"Sadly people
think they prayed 4me to win Olympics & getting tons of rude tweets.
Same prayer as last Olympics: to be an inspiration & honor God," Jones
has shared, adding: "I never have prayed to win a gold medal at Olympics
and never will. The Lord is my Shepard and I shall not want. May His will be
done."
Allyson
Felix, competing in the 100- and 200-meter track and field
races in London, was ecstatic to qualify for the Games, as she shared with fans
earlier this month.
"It's official...I'm going to London!! All glory to
God! I'm so thankful for the love, support & encouragement," she
shared on Twitter.
The month before, in preparation for the qualifying
trials, Felix shared with followers on Twitter, her reason for running,
writing: "Race Day! Thanking God for another opportunity to do what I love
& run for His glory!"
Archer Brady
Ellison, a "country boy who likes to shoot his bow," has
consistently given God the glory for helping him in his journey to the
Olympics. The Arizona athlete tweeted Friday ahead of the opening ceremony:
"Here we go four years of sweat and blood and hard work to prepare for
today. Thank you Lord for lettin me [be] here this week. Lets do it."
Jesse
Williams, another U.S. track and field star, will be
participating in the Men's High Jump. He has been known to give God the glory,
tweeting earlier this month: "Praise the Lord Jesus Christ he is
good!" He was joined by Team USA mate Marquise Goodwin, a long jumper, who
tweeted his thanks Thursday: "All this wouldn't be possible without you!
#God."
Marathon runner Ryan
Hall caught the public's attention when he told the New York Times that he
has long considered God as his coach. He shared with curious fans ahead of the
Olympics how he starts out his days. "I like to start off every morning by
asking God how He sees me," he tweeted.
Another track and field star, Bryan Clay, has also let fans know where his priorities lie,
although he failed to qualify this year for the decathlon competition during
the 2012 Summer Games, tweeting in May: "God first. Family second. Track
third."
Clay was in London, however, to receive his 2012 Eric
Liddell Award for outstanding "character at home, in the community and on
and off the field of competition." The Olympic gold and silver medalist is
apparently also a fan of evangelical Christian leader Francis Chan, having
tweeted a quote from Chan to his 9,500 Twitter followers: "Our greatest
fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't
really matter."
Finally, soccer champ Lauren Cheney revealed the perspective she holds as she prepares to
compete in London, tweeting this week: "We weren't given these talents to
be mediocre. Our God is great – He deserves greatness." Her bio on Twitter
refers to 2 Chronicles 16:9, which includes the passage: "For the eyes of
the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully
committed to him."
Dear Lord we thank You for those that are faithful in
showing Your love to the world around them. We pray that we would have the
strength to do the same. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment