Maybe you saw it too? The other night I was watching the Olympics. The women were swimming a relay. The woman from Australia won the gold, and two American women won the silver and bronze. Their swimming was phenomenal but their reactions were something I will remember forever.
The Australian was surprised she had won. She covered her mouth in amazement. Her reaction tickled me. She had worked her entire life for this moment, and yet her wonderment when the moment finally occurred was delightful.
The two American women congratulated each other with hugs and words of affirmation. There was a genuine respect between the two.
But then it happened. The American women crossed the swim ropes and swam toward the Australian. Still in the water they hugged and began a beautiful dialog of, “Congratulations. I am so proud of you. You were amazing! This is so exciting.” It was a display of sportsmanship and happiness. The three women exited the pool beaming with pride for their accomplishments.
Their race had ended. The thing that they had spent years preparing for, done.
Honestly, I often wonder what it will be like when we take our last breath here on earth. Will there be that holy welcome in heaven from friends and loved ones? I don’t know. But I do know that Jesus will be waiting there. He will have watched every moment of your earthly race. His presence will welcome us and, in that moment, he will be all that matters. His words, his embrace, his affirmation.
Will he say those words we have come to know and anticipate? “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
How you live today—how you spend your life—determines his response.
Let’s live for the prize, the crowns and medals we will lay at his feet. Let’s be focused, as these Olympic champions were, on what is before us. With energy until the end, press on toward the prize.
Philippians 3:14: I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.