After winning a silver medal in the men’s synchronized diving event last week, David Boudia and Steele Johnson did an interview with an NBC reporter. Both are strong Christians and one would have expected them to give glory to God for their performance, as has been common over recent years for other athletes. They did that, but in a way that was very different. Instead of merely giving thanks to God or Jesus, they captured the essence of what it means to follow the risen Lord.
In a world where we continually identify ourselves by what we do or by how much we achieve, these Olympic athletes, having just achieved remarkable success, stated clearly and without shame that their identity in Christ was the source of meaning and purpose in their lives. And they went even further. They stressed how much their relationship as brothers in Christ played a crucial part in who they are. David mentioned the encouragement he and his wife received from Steele, and Steele referred to David as being a great mentor as well as a friend.
Like the Apostle Paul, these men know Whom they have believed and in Whom they have entrusted their lives. This faith forms their identity as men/husband/father/friend. Their particular achievement as divers, as well as everything else they do in their lives, is viewed through the lens of faith in the Lord. And in that they have no shame or embarrassment.
What about you? From where does your identity come? Is it from what you do, how you look, or how many social media followers or likes you get? If so, take a lesson from these men of great achievement. Jesus is the only One who gives us an identity that lasts beyond this life and has any eternal meaning. He is the Rock on which our lives need to be built. As an old hymn says, “all other ground is sinking sand.”
© Jim Musser
2016
No comments:
Post a Comment