Chasing Crowns

Not your typical Olympic post... just encouragement to keep running toward Jesus

Welcome back, friends! As a former athlete and proud American, I love the Olympics!! I love cheering on all of the athletes proudly representing the stars and stripes. I enjoy watching all of the different events. I am always extremely impressed with the ones that I know I could never in a million years successfully do myself. Honestly, I just like competition.

While I have been snuggled up inside my warm home with my coffee and blankets, I have really been enjoying watching the Winter Olympics! I want to start by saying that I am completely awestruck by these athletes. It does not matter if I am watching the curling, speed skating, ski jumps, bobsleigh, hockey, skeleton, luge, snowboarding, etc.… I am simply in awe of these human beings.

The amount of work that they pour into their craft is unbelievable. Their dedication and motivation are on a level I cannot even fathom. Their self-discipline and fitness are truly incredible. I also really enjoy listening to all of the different stories of the athletes that have overcome adversity, but yet still managed to find their way back to the top of their field.

One of the stories that has really just captured my attention, and my heart, is the story of alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn. Lindsey Vonn is one of the most decorated alpine ski racers in the world. She made her first Olympic debut in 2002, when she was just 17 years old. She has had 84 World Cup victories, 3 Olympic medals, and 8 World Championship medals.

Although all of that is extremely impressive, what really caught my attention was number of injuries that she has had to overcome throughout in her career. Lindsey has had sprains, bruises, and concussions, but also has endured multiple fractures, as well as partial and complete ligament tears. She has multiple knee surgeries, including a partial knee replacement… and just 7 days before she broke her leg in this Olympics, she tore her left ACL and competed anyway.

Now, I realize that there has been a lot of controversy, concern, and criticism surrounding Lindsey Vonn and her decision to compete with her ACL injury, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, I am just impressed with her resilience and determination to keep pushing forward even when the odds are stacked against her.

It was through my time pondering her resilience and determination that shifted me from simply cheering on the Red, White, & Blue into a full-blown Bible study. If it is okay with you, I will share a little bit of what I learned.

Because… as I was thinking about everything that Lindsey Vonn, and the rest of these athletes, pour into their craft, a Bible verse popped into my head.

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

This verse is not new to me. I have heard it many times, and it is even underlined in my Bible with my pretty pink pen. You may also be familiar with it. However, when it popped into my mind it kind of caused me to scratch my head a little bit. Not in confusion necessarily, but more because I was just unsure as to why Paul was using athletic metaphors thousands of years ago.

Paul uses the racing references at least half a dozen times in his teachings. (1 Cor. 9:26, Gal 2:2, Gal 5:7, Phil 2:16, 1Tim 6:11, 2Tim 2:22) The way he ties athletics to our spiritual life is something I can totally relate to. I had just never questioned why he did. So, I had to dig a little bit and what I found is super interesting to me.

Did you know that dating all the way back to around the middle of the sixth century BC that Ancient Greece held their own version of the Olympics called the Isthmian Games? These games were held in honor of Poseidon, their sea god. Greek athletes from all over would get together every two years to compete. They would have competitions ranging from wrestling, foot races, boxing, javelin and discus throwing, long jumping, chariot racing, and even poetry reading and singing. The athlete that won their event would be crowned with dried celery leaves, but later the crown changed to dried pine wreaths.

This is a silly thing to blow my mind, but I was just kind of shocked. It makes complete sense to me why Paul would pen words revolving around athletics now that I know these games were taking place. It also turns out that these games may be one of the main reasons he took his second missionary trip to Corinth. Paul would have been aware that the Isthmian Games would have been taking place there that spring. He could easily use the influx of people coming to watch the games to help spread his message of the gospel. How cool is that?

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A few other things I learned about these games make this verse even more impactful. I want to share a few of them with you.

1. When Paul states, in verse 24, that only one person wins the prize and that we are to run the race to win… it is because there was no second or third place prizes. If you wanted to rock the crown of dried celery leaves then you had to be first. Period. No consolation prize. No silver or bronze. No participation ribbon.

This is true for our spiritual life as well. It is an all or nothing kind of race. We are either running as hard as we can toward Jesus, or we are losing the race. We either get to wear a jewel studded crown in glory, or we don’t. There is not a middle option. There won’t be a pat on the back for half effort.

Yikes! If I am being honest, that really got my attention. I don’t know about you but think I may need to pick up my pace a little bit. I don’t want to be left behind in this race.

2. In verse 25, Paul points out that all athletes are disciplined in their training. He reminds us that their goal is a crown that will eventually fade but we run for a different prize. Our prize is eternal.

As a former athlete and former coach, I see a lot of unnecessary emphasis put on fading prizes. There have been many awards given to athletes because of preferential treatment instead of their performance. I have watched the value of trophies decrease about as quickly as the value of our dollar, all because people have been granted the privileges of picking the “winner”.

But friends, those earthly prizes don’t matter. That is actually the wrong race to even be running. When God chooses who gets to wear the eternal crown in Heaven, He won’t be biased. He sees how hard we train. He sees how hard we run. Winning in His eyes, is not the same as winning in the eyes of humans. Oh what a relief that is!

Personally, I think God would prefer for us all to run as hard and as fast toward Him as we can. But we are not in competition with the other runners around us. So, I also imagine He would like for us to take time to help others that are struggling to get in the race. Maybe slow down to bring some ice to those that are injured… stop long enough to help someone stretch out a cramp… provide a cup of Living Water to those that are thirsty…

Running alone is not really the point. We are supposed to love others on this journey and run it out together. Not in competition. God will not run out of eternal crowns. We should be trying to get as many of His children as possible to the finish line… not point and judge as we run by those that need a hand because we are too self centered to care about their race too. Other people are not our competition, that is just what the enemy wants us to think.

3. Paul uses another example of athletic competition in verse 26. He makes the statement that he is not just shadowboxing. This seemed kind of random to me until I began to understand these Isthmian Games. Boxing is brutal. But boxing in these games was almost unimaginable. These guys would wrap their knuckles in leather straps, but would often include things like lead, iron, and sometimes even spikes in those wraps. Then they would commence to beating each other, many times for hours, not stopping until one was knocked unconscious.

Although that would be absolutely horrific, sometimes I feel like that sums up our spiritual life as well. I wish our spiritual life was like shadow boxing. No real threat, just getting some good cardio work in. But it is not. The enemy is very real. The lying lizard is ruthless and will take some spike fueled jabs right into some really vulnerable places. The enemy knows where we are wounded and he will relentlessly attack with his vicious left hook and upper cut to our jaw. There is not a doubt in my mind that the devil is circling us all, leather bound and lead filled dukes raised, ready to strike a blow with every given opportunity.

4. That is why verse 27 is important. Paul takes time to point out that he disciplines his body like an athlete and we must as well. We do not want to be disqualified from running this race. If we were to get disqualified we would have no chance at the eternal prize that awaits us in Heaven. So, we must train to stay in the race.

This is a daily training program, not just a when-we-feel-like-it program. I think that means we must keep our eyes focus on Heavenly things. We must not lose sight of the finish line when sweat drips into our eyes, our out-of-shape-organ starts screaming under our ribs, and our muscles begin to cramp. I believe this means we must give praise to God in the moments of pain and give glory to God in the moments of grief. I think this means spending time in His Word and less time in worldly things. I feel like this means intentionally encouraging other runners, and welcoming anyone interested in joining the race. I believe this means filling our spiritual cup so full that it will overflow into those around us.

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Friends, this race we are running is not an easy one, but we were never promised easy. This is a race that will involve many hills and valleys. We will become exhausted, suffer injuries, and possibly want to quit. Sometimes we will slow down in a desperate attempt to catch our breath. We may even need a moment to stop and grab a drink or stretch out a cramp. That is because we are human, and God has grace to cover all of it. He knows the battles we face, and He sees the hurdles that are placed in our path.

But like the Olympics, sometimes in order to win, like a relay, we need a team… it is okay to team up and hand the baton off every once in a while… to tag someone in that you trust has been also been training for their race to run for you.

We can win this race if we do it together. We can lean on other people to help carry the baton when we are exhausted. When life is extra heavy, you don’t have to carry it all by yourself as you sprint along all alone. When the enemy lands a couple punches, tag someone you trust in to help you fight. And when we finish this race that we call life, the crown of victory that is waiting on us will be so much better than one of celery leaves.

I have tried to come up with a suitable ending for this post, but I cannot sum it all up any better than Paul did. While Paul was imprisoned in Rome, awaiting his execution, he penned these words… which have become my prayer for us all…

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to the eternal prize that Jesus will have waiting for us when the race is over. It brings a smile to my face, and tears to my eyes, to imagine Him proudly placing a jewel studded crown on my head and telling me He is proud of how I ran my race.

But I also wonder if He will be even more proud of me, for the times I slowed down or maybe even stopped to lend a hand to other runners. I don’t imagine Jesus would like to see us leave His children behind if we are capable of helping. So, if you need to hand your baton off for a minute, so you can catch your breath and grab your Bible for a quick drink, I am ready. I’ve been stretching and have my sneakers double knotted. I will run it out with you anytime. Don’t hesitate to reach out. Xoxo Megan 🩷

Dear Heavenly Father,

This race is exhausting! But you already know that. So, Lord, I pray that your presence will be felt as we are all trying our best to stay on the right track. I pray for you to provide the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual strength that we all need to continue running toward you. We all struggle to keep from cramping up and wanting to quit at times. So, I want to thank you in advance for all the times you cover us with your grace and allow us to keep pressing forward. Lord, I ask you to give us people in our lives that we can trust to run beside us when times are hard and encourage us to keep going. Lord, we know we could not run this race without you by our side, and we are grateful you never turn your back. So, please continue to guide, guard and direct our steps as we all try our best to run hard toward you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Reflection Questions:
1.Is there an area of your life that you feel you may need to pick up the pace for fear of being left behind?

2.Can you think of someone in your life that may benefit from you reaching out to take the baton from them for a moment? If so, would you be willing to run with them in this season?

3.Do you feel like you are landing more punches than the enemy right now? If not, is there something you can do to shift the advantage back to you? (read your Bible, prayer time, praise music, etc.)

1 Peter 5:4 “And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never ended glory and honor.”

Isaiah 38:3 “The Lord will hold you in his hand for all to see- a splendid crown in the hand of God.”

James 1:12 “God blessed those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those that love him.”