Thought for the Week

by The Rev Dick Watson, Associate Minister, All Saints Ilkley

FOR what will the 2016 Olympics be particularly remembered?

The Russian doping scandal, the glittering opening spectacle, the stunning backdrop of the mountains surrounding the Sugar Loaf, the iconic and majestic statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooking the whole of Rio de Janeiro and the Olympic village, the dashed hopes of GB’s cycling and equestrian teams, the world-beating performances of Peaty and Daley, or some other inspiring and unexpected achievements yet to be realised?

The Games are surely much more than a competition in national athleticism and medal tables. The coming together of peoples of diverse cultures, traditions, beliefs, and abilities, in accepting one another’s gifts with admiration and wonder, is all part of our appreciating the physical, mental and spiritual capabilities of our common humanity.

Many of the Olympians are seen to make the sign of the cross before they start their race or discipline, in recognition of their God-given gifts that are about to be committed to the test ahead of them.

Those who make this sign of the cross must be more aware than most others, of the statue of Christ the Redeemer, reminding them of Christ’s eternal presence and of His desire to bless people of every race and tongue.

These are the first Olympic Games to be held in South America, and are the first to enjoy such a magnificent and iconic backdrop with Christ, the Light of the World, illuminated for all to see, and to think about the significance of Christ in the race of life.

The lines of one of our popular hymns says “Run the straight race, through God’s good grace. Lift up your eyes and seek His face. Life with its way before us lies. Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.”

Two thousand years ago, St Paul, writing to the early Christians in Corinth, in the shadow of the ancient Olympics, says, “You know that in a race, all the runners run, but only one receives the winner’s prize. So run to win! All those who compete use self-control, and deny themselves many things so that they can win a crown of glory. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only for a while, but the crown of which I speak will last eternally”

The author of the letter to the Hebrews , writes “We have around us many people whose lives tell us of their faith. Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that trip us up, and let us run the race that God has set before us, looking to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect

Unlike the scoring in to-day’s Olympics, all who follow Christ’s teachings of love, and who accept His sovereignty in their lives, will each receive their own crown of glory, and in place of a gold, silver or bronze, will receive their eternal heavenly reward. This is the good news of Christ the Redeemer.