Olympics 2008

With my students back in school, it means that summer is over and the Olympics are here.  So far, it has been a fun week watching all of the different events and cheering on the USA.  Every time I watch of think about the athletes, I can't help but think about the dedication and hard work involved.  My wife always says it would be cool to know you were one of the best in the world at your event.  I think I would personally choose the beach volleyball if I could have actually had a chance at an Olympic appearance.  I really like the team mentality and I am usually pretty decent at volleyball.  

Michael Phelps continues to blow me away!  To race 17 in a week is plain crazy.  Over and over they have mentioned his daily schedule and it is so hard.  For these few days, his complete focus is on swimming.  He doesn't have any time for anything else.  It is pretty much eat, swim, rest, swim, and sleep for a few hours.  He swims more than one race a day and really doesn't have much down time.  

What if we as Christians applied this kind of focus to our walk with Christ?  Instead of spending four years preparing for the next Olympics (and yes, I realize many prepare from a very young age), what if we were this intense everyday focused on following Christ for our entire lives.  The truth is every Christian should be able to qualify as a disciple the same way these athletes are expected to qualify for the Olympics.  While it would also be very cool to hold an Olympic or World Record, they are being broken left and right.  Sure your name is placed in the history books, but when all is said and done do these records really matter?  Don't get me wrong, I think going for records are great but our focus has to be on Christ and what will matter for eternity.  

I hope you enjoy these two weeks and GO USA!