Where's Our Passion

Olympic Passion

Forget all the arguments about whether or not the entire Olympic movement is good, bad, or indifferent. One thing comes over very clear and that is that the Olympic contestants are passionate about their events. They have all dedicated years of their lives to becoming the very best in the world at whatever sport they do. That dedication has culminated for them by selection for their country’s team in the Olympic Games. Jesus could do with a few Olympic athletes right now.

The tears of joy or frustration at the end of their event; the cries of anguish at their own, their opponents, or their team mate’s performances are all heart-rending. The pride and the passion of receiving the prize, in this case a medal, for their performances is astonishing.. The effect of their success or failure on their team-mates is amazing. The effects on the watching crowds from many nations is incredible. Jesus could do with some of this passion, excitement, pleasure and pain right now.

Paul spoke about us “running the race that is set before us.” He makes no mention of teams although he very obviously regards everyone running the race to be family – either a brother or a sister. He spoke about us winning the prize – in our case a crown. Paul’s passion is not in the perfection or otherwise of his performance, it’s in the taking part, completing, and winning the crown that awaits all who complete the race.

Can you imagine what might happen if we brought Paul’s passion and Olympic passion together for Jesus Christ? Can you even begin to imagine the energy and power we could generate through the Holy Spirit if our passion for Jesus was like the Olympians passion for their events? Then the world would almost be compelled to sit up and take notice of Jesus. Then the world would gather round to see whatever miracles Holy Spirit performed – just like the crowds gathered around Jesus in Galilee 2000 years ago.

If we could bring some Olympic sized passion into our relationship with Jesus, we might even have some revival to match our passion. A passion for Holy Spirit and for Jesus must be worth more than the passion for Olympic Gold, silver, or bronze – earthly values that moth and rest destroy.

A heavenly crown – now that’s something worth having a passion about.