For as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of the Olympic Games, both summer and winter. As a child, I recall making it a family event. We would sit down every night to watch the games. Usually, I would get a special treat, like a bowl of popcorn or candy. I would sit on the floor in front of the television mesmerized by the athletes. I always rooted for team U.S.A. and for those two weeks, I became connected to those people like I personally knew them. Not only was it thrilling to watch, but it gave me something to aspire to and someone to look up to. When the athletes would stand on that medal podium, I would share in their joy.

As I begin to watch the 2024 Paris Olympics this week, I feel like a kid again. I get so excited, and I love sitting down with my own family now to share in this experience. There is also something about all those nations from around the world joining together in peace for those two weeks that makes my heart happy. For just a short time they are joined in one common cause and help support each other.

We may not all be Olympic athletes, but we can all share a common goal, the ultimate prize. What is that prize? No, it is not a gold medal. It is eternal life and salvation. We cannot win that prize for ourselves, however. That is why God sent a champion for us, Jesus Christ.

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:57

Just like athletes cannot make it to the top of their sport on their own, we cannot achieve eternal life on our own. The athletes have a lot of people who helped them along the way including family, coaches, and teammates just to name a few. We also need to surround ourselves with a winning team to achieve our goal.

First and foremost, we need Jesus. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He is the one and only path to salvation. We must first accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior to reach eternal life. We must also surround ourselves with supportive and encouraging people who will help guide and strengthen our faith. If we do not surround ourselves with the right people, we will easily lose our way.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

As a born and raised Lutheran, I grew up on the words of Martin Luther, and what good Lutheran can’t belt out the words to “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”? The lyrics to the second verse speak perfectly to what Jesus came to do. He came to fight for us. He is our champion!

No strength of ours can match his might
We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight,
Whom God Himself elected.
You ask who this may be?
The Lord of hosts is He,
Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,
God’s only Son, adored.
He holds the field victorious.

(Written by Martin Luther)

So as you watch the Olympic games over the next few weeks, or just as you work hard to achieve your own goals in life, remember who your champion is. You don’t have to fight your battles alone. Jesus is here for you. He came to Earth to fight for you. Yes, YOU! He won the victory over death so that you can be forgiven of your sins and have eternal life. Now, that is the ultimate prize!

Like and follow Saved By Grace to stay up to date on new posts!

Also follow us on Facebook!

• Facebook

Can I pray for you? Send me a message at molly@savedbygrace.blog