Once again the all too human nature of those hoisted high on the public square pedestal has fallen. Super Olympian Michael Phelps was caught on camera smoking from a bong at a party. The Olympic spirit tarnished by a youthful misjudgment and the enormous weight of public scrutiny. Unfortunately the public felling of such a giant has overshadowed the real champion of the Olympic spirit this week. Shawn Crawford who won silver at the Beijing Olympics in the 200 meter sprint confirmed that he had given his medal away. He didn’t gamble it away, or sell it, or pawn it to support any wayward behavior but left it for Churandy Martina before he left the Olympics. Martina had finished second in the race but was disqualified because he had stepped out of his lane. Crawford felt that anyone who had beaten him by such a large margin who barely stepped out of his lane without impeding any other racer still deserved the medal. So, he gave the medal to who he considered was the one who deserved it. This doesn’t change the official record but it does underscore the Olympic spirit that erases national barriers and hails those who devote mind and body to excellence.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown of laurel that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man shadow boxing. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
What do the Olympic spirit and the Christian spirit have in common? They share the goal of excellence. I’m truly sorry that fame, fortune and the fading nature of that laurel crown exposed Michael Phelps youthful weakness. Yet, I applaud Shawn Crawford for his desire to set the highest standards for his personal goals. May we all align our spirits with Paul in seeking to pursue Christian excellence in our lives so that we will not be disqualified for the prize! Excellence is not about the bong, the wrong, or anyone banging their own gong but about the one true song of grace… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus… Hebrews 12:1, 2. Keep your eyes on Jesus! -DAN
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