As I write this tonight I am watching the closing ceremony for the 2012 Olympic Games from the Olympic Stadium in London. I don't mind admitting to you that there is a tear in my eye because I think that the Olympics have been fantastic this time, from the opening ceremony two weeks ago, through all the wonderful sporting endeavours all the way to tonight. The Stadium is filling with athletes to the delight f those who are lucky enough to be there to watch this unfold. Danny Boyle has done a great job, for a Lancastrian, and he, all the players and all our athletes have done us proud. I know that I was a little down when our cyclists didn't do so well on the very first day but look what has happened since! 29 gold medals and 65 medals over all – incredible and our best effort for over a century.
The stadium is now alive with all the people who have put so much effort into everything that has happened, from those who built the venues to the security people, from to the games makers to those who took part in the sporting activities. Flags have been paraded again but, in the spirit of these 'Friendly Games' everyone is smiling and having a wonderful time. Everyone is honoured by these activities this evening, especially those who have given so much to make these games such a success. And, to top it all, those who have won medals are wearing them proudly around their necks, sharing the glory that they have gained with the whole wide world. The culmination of years of hard work, preparation and concentration and this is glory that they share with their nations and all the people who watched them perform to the very best of their ability.
And yet, as good as it is, this type of glory is temporary. Yes, the medals will last for a long time. Yes, the names of the competitors will be remembered books and on television no doubt for many decades. Yes, what they have achieved will remain on various lists, possible for centuries to come. Yes, this is glory that we can understand, but it does fade. Don't get me wrong, these achievements are wonderful and I have very much enjoyed watching some of these medals being won (especially by our team) but there is a glory beyond all this that none of us can really perceive or properly understand. When a gold medal is won then the pinnacle of earthly, human glory has been achieved and the attainment of this does give us a glimpse if true, eternal glory, but only a glimpse.
True, everlasting glory is the Lord God's, and His alone. Only He has that glory, which his beyond all our comprehension, and yet the wonderful thing is that He is prepared to share it with us all. When God sent his son to us He knew that Jesus would have to suffer and die for our sins, but He also know that Jesus would ascend and return to His side in glory. We don't yet fully know what this means and all of the ramifications, but it is a glory that will be shared with us, if we stick to our course, keep our courage and determination and see our race through to the end.
Like this:
Be the first to like this.
Read this article:
No comments:
Post a Comment