Good Sportsmanship
January 15
The Olympic Games have become probably the greatest sports event in the world. The winter and summer versions are held every four years in various parts of this planet. They are seen by thousands in person and by many millions more on television. Not nearly as well–known are the Special Olympics that involve athletes who are mentally disabled.
An incident occurred in the Special Olympics held in Seattle that surely involved good sportsmanship. It happened in the 100 meter dash. The nine contestants took off at the sound of the gun and headed for the finish line. One boy, however, stumbled and fell to the ground, tears coming down his face. The other eight heard the boy cry and paused. Then all of them ran back, consoled the boy, linked arms, and all nine walked together to the finish line. The stadium erupted with a sustained standing ovation at this display of sportsmanship.
In the second book of Timothy, Paul, writing to his younger co–worker of that name, says:“If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules” (2Timothy 2:5). Those disabled young people were competing that day according to the highest rule in the world, that of love.
“Love one another,” said Jesus to his disciples. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13) . . . or even his prospect of victory in the race or in the race of life. Adds Paul: “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1Corinthians 8:1b).
Here for all of us is a lesson in a loving concern for another, which triumphed over the very natural desire to win the race. Berton Braley, author of the poem, “The Prayer of a Sportsman,” once said it another way: “If I should lose, let me stand by the road and cheer as the winners go by.”
That, too, is good sportsmanship.
Dependable Promises
January 16
One of the simplest definitions of theology is “a body of doctrines concerning God” . . . and what we believe about how God shapes our lives. The promises of God are absolutely and completely dependable, not only for the future of the world but also for our future. In fact, those who follow the Savior are called “children of the promise” by Paul in the ninth chapter of Romans . . . that promise being new life now and in the life to come—supreme joy.
The Bible is simply packed with God’s promises to His people. For those needing comfort, Jesus promised peace. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). To a woman whose life was barren and dry, He promised the water of life: “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). For those wondering about tomorrow, the book of Hebrews records these words of the Heavenly Father: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Then we find this marvelous invitation and promise from the Master. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29).
These are just a few of the many marvelous promises of God, and like all good theology, they relieve, comfort, calm, and give peace, the peace that only God can give.
Reminded
January 17
You’ve all discovered, I am sure, that the simple act of remembering becomes a little more difficult year by year as we become older. Names slip from us. Even a short list of things we have memorized and then intended to get at the store might be forgotten by the time we get there. Sometimes we need to be reminded.
God’s Word, the Bible, is probably life’s greatest reminder. Yes, without any doubt, it is. In his second epistle, the Apostle Peter opens the letter with an appeal to his readers and hearers to make one’s calling certain. He writes about being certain of one’s faith and making sure that one’s Christian faith shows itself in goodness, knowledge, self–control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love—qualities of life that indicate true Christian character.
Then Peter adds: “For if you do those things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10b–11). And as a kind of footnote in verses12 and 15, he writes: “So I will always remind you of these things
. . . and I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.”
David, in the one hundred third Psalm, writes, “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” And he goes on to list just a few of God’s benefits to us.
It is good, I think, to be reminded of the many benefits we receive every day at the hand of our Heavenly Father.
A Singing Light
January 18
A life dedicated to God and changed through the power of the Savior may, and every so often does, make an impact upon the secular world. Such was the case with Mahalia Jackson, famed operatic singer.
Her voice was first recognized nationally in her American homeland in the 1930s when she sang “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” during a cross–country gospel tour. She resisted offers for fame and fortune singing secular music, instead concentrating on gospel music. Her records sold in the millions. She became a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States in singing the theme song, “We Shall Overcome.” Before she passed away, Mahalia Jackson had sung almost prophetically in the movie “Imitation of Life:” “Soon I will be done with the troubles of this world.” She now is, and this is also true of the millions upon millions who have found their rest in Jesus.
Jesus expressed in the following way the opportunity we all have to demonstrate His light: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
In the New Testament, one of the fine descriptions of Christians is children of light, suggesting that followers of Jesus, the Light of the World, are also lights—lights to penetrate the darkness of our world. Speaking of Himself, just before He went to the cross, Jesus put the Christian’s responsibility plainly before them: “You are going to have the light just a little while longer,” [that is Jesus was soon going to go to the cross]. Then He added, “Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.” (John 12:35). Paul picks up this theme in Ephesians 5:8: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
Found on a baby’s monument in an old cemetery was this epitaph: “There is not darkness enough in all the world to put out the light of one little candle.”
That’s so vitally true, as Mahalia Jackson proved, and we can too . . . by living as children of light.
Misunderstood
January 19
Charlie Harvey, whom I know personally, was a missionary to Africa for many years. Among his many talents, he’s a good writer. In one of his books, he tells of entering a contest that required him, as a robust boy, to have a bath every day for a month. Back in the 1930s and 40s, such a ritual was almost unheard of, particularly on a New Brunswick farm.
Fittingly, the contest was sponsored by the Lifebuoy Soap Company, and contestants in that health and hygiene campaign were