Welcome to “Athlos” a weekly blog which examines pillars of personal excellence and regularly brings together the worlds of Christian spirituality and sport.
There is a Race
“…let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us”-Hebrews 12: 1
Which Race?
Maybe you only watched last week’s Super Bowl for the halftime entertainment. Perhaps you followed it because you actually understand American football. The Kansas City Chiefs’ comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles was historic for many reasons, if you followed the game or the highlights.
Today, I return to the question of race. I intentionally use this term in more than one sense. First, I am referring to the sensitive, emotional and controversial issue of differences in ethnicity and skin colour. Last week’s Super Bowl saw two black starting quarterbacks for the first time in the National Football League’s (NFL) marquee game. It took a while, but we applaud the progress, nonetheless.
Second, my allusion to race addresses our participation in an event that is more than a sporting competition. It is the journey towards life after death, the realm of eternity. Fear and/or indifference can cause us to ignore such issues. Sometimes, sheer busyness distracts us from keeping our eyes on what Jesus called treasures in heaven in his Sermon on the Mount. I want to suggest that there are fewer things more important in life than what happens after we leave this transient existence on earth.
I congratulate all those who have invested their lives in noble causes, including racial equality. May your courageous efforts bear much fruit. Some of us are involved in other efforts that make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Keep doing what you’re doing. I also invite us to simultaneously keep our eyes on the race that has the greatest value. It is the one race where there can be multiple MVPs.
Winning the Race
It is encouraging to know that there is a race that we can win even though we are not as young and fast as we used to be.
If you were inspired by this blog, please consider sharing it with one other person today. To learn more about these and other related themes that promote the cultivation of an integrated inner self, read UNBEATABLE! which is available on Amazon in print and as an e-book
This Post Has 2 Comments
It is definitely a good journey, one that is well worth it. Thank you.
Indeed, Michelle. Thank you.