Dear SCC & Friends,
…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us… ~Hebrews 12:1b
Update #75
The 2021 Olympics are over… Amazing stories of trial and endurance, coupled with inspiring performances of grit and talent that only a select few could ever ascend to… Between now and 2024, thousands upon thousands of elite athletes will invest all they have to earn an opportunity to compete in the Paris games. Eleven thousand, six hundred fifty-six athletes competed in Tokyo, and only about 6% stood on the podium. Even if they win a medal, some may be disappointed if it’s not gold. Even if they win the Gold, some struggle that they could have done better. What’s in us that even success can make us dissatisfied?… Perfection is the enemy of excellence. Paul wrote to Timothy, …bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ~1 Tim. 4:8. Bodily discipline is of value, but of little consequence when compared to eternal issues and living our lives with integrity. …if any one competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. ~2 Tim. 2:3,5 The rules we play by are prescribed in the Word of God in order to know, love and serve Him… Christ in us, the hope of glory. ~Col. 1:27
The Lord points us to a narrow path of life and life more abundantly. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. ~Matt. 7:14The path is not legalistic bondage but godly freedom and purposeful focus, which enables us to be faithful and fruitful… Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. ~Philip. 4:8 The race we’re in is not a sport and certainly not a game. Our lives are analogous to a race, because it has a start and ending point… It is in between the start and finish that we meet God and God meets us. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. ~Heb. 10:35-36 As much as I admire gifted athletes and their honors, our reward will be indescribably more than gold medals and the accolades of man. …but just as it is written, things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him. ~1 Cor. 2:9 He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end and all that is in between. Keep up the good work!
Blessings,
Kevin