.OLYMPICS.

Volume 11:

.OLYMPICS.

Yep, the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. That's what's on my mind right now. And I've been thinking about it for weeks. It all starts tomorrow, 08/08/08. Every so often, the best athletes from all over the world come together to prove themselves, to represent their sport on the worldwide stage, to represent their country, to participate together in one sport or another.

And of course there's the controversy. It seems the Olympics have always been controversial in one way or another. But if you've had the news on in the last couple months, you've certainly heard repeated mention of problems with China… in reference to human rights, Darfur, Tibet, steroids, smog in Beijing, Iraq's participation… sheesh. But I don't want to make this a political thing. I just want to point out that there IS controversy, just in case you hadn't heard. And then I want to get to the point, right?

Olympics are a microcosm of our world's society. This event, these Olympians… well, they represent both the BEST in us (perseverance, giving your all, making it to the top, "running in such a way as to win the prize…" and maybe a few gold medals) and the WORST in us (pride, cheating, dirty politics, the aforementioned scandals…).

Okay, so what difference does that make? Well, I'd like to ask you to go along with me for a while, and watch the Olympics. Look at the different countries involved. Consider that some of these athletes you see may represent a country where the Word of God is not accessible in their own language. Some may come from a place where Christians are persecuted. It's such a strange idea to think that some of those athletes may never have heard the name of Jesus. The Olympics should be an eye-opening experience for Christians, reminding us that millions of souls are constantly at stake. Followers of Christ must want desperately to see the world won for God's kingdom, for His glory.

So pray for them. And pray for their countries. I keep coming back to a handful of my favorite "world-wide" verses:

Matthew 24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached IN THE WHOLE WORLD as a testimony to ALL NATIONS, and then the end will come.

Matthew 28:19-20. Therefore go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS… baptize and teach them…

Luke 24:47. Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to ALL NATIONS, beginning at Jerusalem.

Revelation 15:4. For you [God] alone are holy. ALL NATIONS will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.

I guess what I’m getting at is that we should see these people as representatives of the world - a world that needs God, a world that needs a savior. From England to Brazil to Egypt to China… and yes, even America. We should take this chance to open our eyes to the billions of people they represent, and that all those people will bow their knee to the returning, conquering LORD of LORDS, whether he has become their Savior or not. So yeah, it's time we start praying for salvation. It's time we start praying for the missionaries who go to those countries - for their funds, their safety, their cause. It's time we start praying for the wisdom of those working diligently to translate the Word of God into new tongues and for those who will take it to new tribes and nations for the first time. It's time we start praying for the persecuted churches throughout the world, for their protection, for their boldness in proclaiming the Truth, even when lives are at stake. It's time we start praying for conviction, that God would help US to see all of those people, no matter what color, what nation, what language… as children of God, and as our brothers and sisters.

Let’s pray.

SEVENS: Do not merely listen to the word... do what it says. James 1:22.
Aaron
(Originally published August 7, 2008)