The
And, in my judgment, these words might be understatements.
It happened around 11:45pm, while my wife and children were all asleep. Nevertheless I shouted and pumped my fists when the race was over. I was so excited that it took me another hour before I could get to sleep.
The
I love what team captain Jason Lezak, who swam the anchor leg, had to say when it was all over: "People always step up and do things out of the ordinary at the Olympics."
Three things strike me as particularly important lessons from this story.
First, these athletes work incredibly hard preparing for these events. In many cases it’s a lifetime of training for one or two events. They deeply devote themselves to what they are doing. And as a result there are great rewards for them. I can’t help but think of Paul’s words in Colossians. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”
Second, they celebrate well. This is huge. So many of us can barely celebrate our own “wins” and “blessings” because we are constantly looking ahead or worrying about what’s to come. Watch the video footage of their celebration, and it might bring tears to your eyes. Such unashamed, unhindered, unencumbered, unselfconscious celebration is rarely seen and intoxicatingly refreshing.
Third, they work hard together. And there is something special about sharing hard work and rewards with others. There is something deeply satisfying about celebrating with a team that has come together to do a great thing. Contrast that with tennis. I love tennis. But when a tennis player wins a match, he or she usually falls to the ground in isolated celebration. Sure others are cheering, but the celebration is uniquely singular. No high fives to a teammate. No hugs from another who “fought the battle” alongside him.
These three things – working with all your might, celebrating well, and doing something great together with others – are three of the most amazing and important disciplines in life. I wonder how you and I would answer these three questions:
What are you working like crazy—heart, soul, mind, strength—for these days?
What are you celebrating deeply and without holding back?
Who are you doing these things with?
If we all had clear, God-led answers to the above questions I believe we would experience increased and amazing amounts of love, joy, peace, purpose and passion in our lives.
Shifting gears now…..one other thought about staying up late to watch the Olympics…
My wife has asked me why I’m coming to bed so late this week. I told her that the Olympics are one of those things worth staying up ‘til midnight or later for. They only happen every four years, and they offer events and stories that I will remember for a lifetime.
It made me think. There are not many things worth staying up ‘til midnight for. (Sleep is usually the wiser and more preferable choice to most midnight activities.) But, from time to time, there are some things worth staying up ‘til midnight for. So I end with a short list.
A good New Year's Eve party
A great sporting event
A meaningful conversation with a friend
Watching the stars around a campfire
Talking to God
Working at a needed job
Helping a friend pack boxes before a move
A date-night with your spouse
What would you add?
