But You Have Come

The mind is a funny thing. I have in my head all these thoughts - good candidates for something which you might find interesting to read - and yet they refuse to make themselves into a coherent whole. Perhaps it is just because I am tired. To solve this problem I have decided to let you do the work by asking questions.

The winter Olympics have just finished. What can we learn from them? Is such an event given too much attention, given everything else going on around the world?

What is the significance of winning a medal at the Olympics? Is that the primary goal of all the athletes?

On Friday I heard a good talk on one of my favourite passages:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb 12:1-3)

Writing from a cultural context not so different from our own, Paul uses sports images. This is a challenge to pursue a life of endurance and wholehearted focus, to run "the race marked out for us" with everything we have. In what ways is our 'race' similar and different from those of the Olympians?

The biggest challenge to me is throwing off "everything that hinders". What is hindering you?