“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

Believing in the End Result

With the Olympics coming to a close a few weeks ago in Pyeongchang, I’m left with the same thought that I’m sure many of us have during the closing ceremony: “It’s going to be four years before we experience this again.” A lot can happen in four years! I’m sure the athletes that compete in the games are more than aware of that as well.

The Winter Olympics are the grandest of stages for sports and athletes alike that don’t spend very much time in our national spotlight. Imagine being one of these athletes. You understand all the time, dedication and sacrifice your goals will take and you still give it all willingly for one short chance at glory. Then imagine falling short of that goal.

I’m always most amazed by the competitors who are able to pick themselves back up and move forward toward that same small chance in the next games. The perseverance that must take, when it would be so easy to simply take some time off under the guise that “you have four years to get ready.”

I believe we have to look at our own faith and ask ourselves if we have the fortitude to keep going when the results of our diligent labor don’t look like what we expected them to. Being only 26 years old, it’s very easy for me to believe in the notion that I have more time than I do. This can lead to me growing lax in my daily efforts to grow closer to Him and love those around me.

However, then I look at these athletes that fought so hard over those two weeks and I’m reminded that they would have never been in that position if their mindset wasn’t so singularly focused on the goal at hand. They believed in it and were willing to persevere through anything to go after it. Do we believe in our goal that strongly?

The only difference between us and the athletes is that we know what our end result will be. The gold medal has already been won for us even though we didn’t earn it. It could be 10, 20, even 50 years before we put it on, but it’s guaranteed to be there waiting on us. This is why we can’t grow weary in our efforts for Him, because He won’t ever grow weary in His efforts for us. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to celebrate.

– Ryan Akin

If you would like to submit a reader devotional, please email all submissions to jason@sportsspectrum.com