Go for the Gold!

I love the Olympics, always have.  I remember figure skating in my socks and flipping on the couch like the gymnasts.  I love hearing the stories of the athletes and emotionally connecting to them and cheering them on.  I love the pride they have for their countries.  

I admire all they sacrifice for their dream and the goal they are aiming for.  I am reminded that I have a goal to live eternally-minded.  Just as they make choices how they spend their days and what gets their focus. We need to choose each day Who we are living for.  They know they will fail, they will get hurt, they will want to give up and things will not always go their way.  Do we have that same tenacity to stay on the path that God has for us, no matter what pops up?


I think we can become so earthly-minded we forget what and who we are created to be.  We allow our failures to stop us from trying again.  We allow the actions or attitudes of others to change us.  We have allowed the world to influence our choices in behavior and what we focus on, instead of God's Word.


I heard a message once about the Gold Standard of God.  How we are called to be holy, imitating the character and standards of God...not the world.  The process to refine gold has been compared to the process we face in becoming Christ-like.  Many of us don't want to go through the process.  It is easier to be silver or bronze.  It is easier to hold grudges, fight for positions, gossip in the name of prayer, be so focused on having fun and being accepted we look and act no different than the world.

The athletes that are competing are giving all they have for their goal.  They dig in deep into something bigger than themselves to overcome adversity and set-backs.  


As much as I want all that God has for me and I know He has called me to something...I also know that I have been sitting on the sidelines.  I have grown tired, overwhelmed by circumstances and annoyed by other peoples choices.  I have allowed myself to hide, even when something inside kept yelling "Get up!" "There's more!"


I don't want to settle for just making it into heaven, or a bronze or a silver...I want the gold!  I want to stay so close to God, He can move me with His eyes.  I want the world to see me walk through this life with purpose and for Someone much bigger than me that it effects every choice I make.  


So, I will say to you what I heard God say to me in the shower this morning (hey, its quiet there): "Stay focused on Me, don't get distracted.  All of this is temporary ~ I am eternal and what I have called you to has an eternal purpose."


So, let's go for the gold!!  The process is hard and each of us will have to sacrifice and get rid of things from our lives, as well train ourselves in the righteousness of God.


Let's make our choices in the light of eternity not in the shadow of all that is looming around us.


"Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."  Hebrews 12:1


Go for it!  I'll be your cheering section!  Woo-hoo!  


Have a fab day!
Love and hugs
xo ~ Jodi