Because I Know Jesus

I am always impressed by Christians who are willing to witness to Jesus at work in their lives whenever and wherever.  This happened recently at the Olympic Games during an interview with David Boudia and Steele Johnson, who had just won a Silver Medal in Men’s 10M Synchronized Diving. The reporter asked the pair how they had prepared for this event that has been dominated by the Chinese, who set an Olympic Record Score in the event to win Gold.  In his response, Boudia said something about Jesus, but it was so quick, I wasn’t sure I heard him correctly, something about, “because I know Jesus, it would all be OK, no matter what happened.”  In that moment of heightened emotion, I was impressed he thought about Jesus, but it seemed like a side comment.

Then Johnson responded, and while I cannot quote him directly, he essentially said that, like David, because he knows Jesus, the result of the competition would not change who he was, but it was a blessing and honor win an Olympic Medal for himself and his country. 

Wow. Olympic athletes that do not stake their identities on winning Gold but rather on knowing that Jesus is their Lord and Savior.  And they are willing to testify to that on an international broadcast.  I also noticed, at one point when the camera was panning over to the pair to catch every single emotion and gesture following the results, they were huddled with their coach(es) and trainers, and I thought, “That looks like they are praying.” (This was before the interview.)  Yup, they were. 

Obviously there is a culture within that team (perhaps not the entire US Diving Team, but at least for Boudia and Johnson) that puts their relationship with God first.  I was both impressed and humbled.  

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, St. Paul writes, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  I have no doubt that if this team had finished dead last, they still would have gathered for prayer, and while being tremendously disappointed, it would not have changed their dedication to God. Such dedication is seen even when their heads are not bowed and they are not using words, they are praying.  Their dives were prayer.

What would our lives look like if we would make the same commitment to remember, “To God be the Glory” in everything we do?  To me, it takes off the pressure of having my identity contingent on what I accomplish. If I truly and honestly believe that I am a beloved Child of God, anything else is icing on the cake.  Granted, it always feels great to achieve a goal, but it should not define who we are. If our identity is only defined by what we do, when we fail, it can feel like we are worthless. 

That is exactly what our life in Christ overcomes.  We are worthy because we are, not because we do!  I am so grateful for Boudia and Johnson of confessing their faith in such a way to remind those of us who will never be elite athletes that God loves us for who we are, not for what we accomplish.  While those Silver Medals will look splendid around their necks, it does not even compare to the seal of Christ on their hearts – and on our own as well.

2 Corinthians 9:13-14 

Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with them and with all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that he has given you.

In Christ,

Rev. Valerie+