Endurance - Reflections on Matthew 24:13 with a story from the Greek Olympic games.

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24:13 (NIV)

He who stands firm to the end will be saved.

STORY as shared by J. Stowell:

The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. I want to run all the way with the flame of my torch still lit for Him. 

OBSERVATION:

The Olympic torch has been lit. Presently it is making its way across England. Another Olympic year, another country, another city and the family watched the torch come through DeLand, Florida U.S.A. We have the little plastic flag to prove that we saw the torch.

The thought occurred then, as it does now … what happens if the torch goes out? The organizers have shared that they have a backup torch in safekeeping just in case … but what if it goes out while everyone is watching … like maybe, when it is brought into the stadium in London? Kind of embarrassing wouldn’t you think.

We too are running a race. We too have a torch lit. We too have the world watching. It is not about winning the race and having a medallion draped around our neck. It is not about hearing the cheering crowds or the applause of the onlookers (as they did in DeLand). It is about endurance. It is finishing our spiritual race with our torch for Christ still lit!

As the children’s song states:

Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine. 

PRAYER:

Sometimes it is hard, O Lord, to keep the torch lit. Sometimes it is difficult keeping it lit when others make fun or ridicule or laugh. Sometimes it is difficult when non-followers are being successful, winning the prizes of this world. Sometimes it is just so hard. Help us to endure … until the end … with our torch still lit. Help us to keep our eyes on the prize. Help us to keep our focus. Amen

QUOTE by Max Lucado, And The Angels Were Silent:

Jesus doesn’t say, “If you succeed you will be saved.” Or, “If you come out on top you will be saved.” He says, “If you endure.” An accurate rendering would be, “If you hang in there until the end…if you go the distance.”