Monday 13 August 2012
Just one boast
It gave us a great display of just how amazing humans can be when they focus and put their mind to something. We're incredibly impressed by speed, endurance, strength, back flips, techniques etc etc. Whether it's because of the showmanship and physical presence of Bolt or the humble yet unstoppable talent of Rudisha, most spectator's bums have found their way to the edge of a seat in the last two weeks.
We marvel at what the created can achieve.
Many personal bests or indeed World Record breaking bests have been achieved in the last two weeks as well. People going further or faster than has been ever done before. Limits pushed and bars raised - until next time.
But do you know what? One day they will have achieved the best time/height/distance they possibly can. They won't be able to run that fast or throw that far or jump that high again. Every achievement, while it is totally amazing today, does have a limit or an expiration date - top of the table until the next person steps up.
It's the same in every single area of life - we all have PB's that we will either strive to beat ourselves or will be beaten by the next guy. A new house will soon need to be upgraded; that car will need to be faster or bigger one day soon; the pay cheque won't satisfy; the TV won't be flat enough. Perhaps the wife won't be young enough or the holidays hot enough. Somewhere deep down, we always want to achieve/have more.
Richards-Ross won the gold medal for her country in the 400m a few days back. Rather than just striking a pose, soaking up all the praise and agreeing that she is the best of the best, she gave glory to God for her achievement - she acknowledged her relationship with Christ as greater than anything else she could possible attain in this life (quite the statement considering she was just crowned as the champion in her chosen discipline!).
When we do that - confessing that only a relationship with Christ as being the all-purpose giving, greatest lifetime-high - we acknowledge that ALL else pales in significance.
I've had these lyrics in my head for the last 24 hours: 'I will not boast in anything - no gifts, no power, no wisdom. But I will boast in Jesus Christ - His death and resurrection.'
It's the only thing in this life that won't expire or reach a limit - no matter what the stage of life.
Marvel at what the Creator has done and will always continue to do.
