Good morning on this Saturday, the 20th of February. If you are like me you are a big fan of the Olympics, both Winter and Summer. The Winter Games are now in full swing and it is exciting to watch the skiing, skating, sledding, snow-boarding, curling and all the other events. It is especially gratifying to see our fellow Americans winning so many metals. So often a mere fraction of a second makes the difference between winning the gold or silver metal or even being on the podium at all. I often think of all of the sacrifice, hours of practice, and financial expense the athletes spend as they prepare to compete. Then in a matter of minutes or even seconds, the competition is over. The Apostle Paul compared our Christian life and service to Olympic-type athletic contests in which we "run all" holding nothing back and giving our full measure of devotion and effort to living our Christian life and serving our Savior. As we watch the many athletes give so much of themselves to their sports and leave nothing behind on the track, slopes or ice, it becomes a poignant picture of what Christ is asking of each of us. Many who are interviewed after winning assert that it was worth it all. The song writer wrote, "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ. One glimpse at His dear face, all sorrow will erase, so bravely run the race till we see Christ." How right that is!
Tomorrow's sermon is Keys To Wise Communication. I hope to see you there.
Mel Brown