The Winter Olympics are here…we have been watching some of it…always in awe of how amazing the athletes are…always in awe of the disciplined lives that the athletes live…always in awe of how the athletes spend their entire lives preparing for The Race of their Life.

And then that Race is over…and the athlete either has a coveted medal…or doesn’t.

And then that Race is replayed…over and over again…on the television screen…and in the mind of the athlete…either reliving the glory of that Race…or trying to pinpoint what movements or actions could have been done differently in order to gain the more favorable outcome.

And then comes a pivotal moment for the athlete…the moment the athlete chooses whether or not to continue to Race.

This moment captures my attention more than the actual Race…this is the moment full of emotion for me.  It is the moment where the athlete moves forward…or ceases to move.

Sometimes the athlete is so physically injured that it seems impossible to Move Forward.

Sometimes the athlete is so mentally defeated that they become physically paralyzed and cannot Move Forward.

But… sometimes you see an athlete Move Forward regardless of the physical injury or mental defeat…

My prayer for each one of us is that we continue to Move Forward regardless of  physical injury or mental defeat.

My prayer for each one of us is a Supernatural Strength in our bodies and in our minds and in our spirits that will carry us across the finish line to True Victory in Jesus’ name.

My prayer for each one of us is that every fall…every injury…every defeat…will be a testimony to someone…and that that loss will be a gain for Jesus as more people join in this Great Race…

Acts 20:24…But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

1 Corinthians 9:24…Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

2 Timothy 4:7…I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Hebrews 12:1-3…Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Are you participating in this Great Race?  If not, you can start right now by going here and saying a Sinner’s Prayer…or by going here to contact someone from our church.  In the end…the Prize that awaits you in Heaven is far greater than any coveted medal here on Earth…and we will all stand on the podium together and there will be a Glorious Celebration!!