“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness… For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness (virtue), and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, PERSEVERANCE…” 2 Peter 1:3, 5

Norway’s Ansel Lund Svindal won the gold medal in this year’s Winter Olymipics in the super-G, overcoming a disastrous fall in a race last year that could have kept him from competing in the Olympic Games this year.  Rather than give up or get discouraged, Ansel put himself through a rigorous recovery and training process determined to compete for the gold medal.   Every Olympian understands that pain and persevering through intense pain is part of the price for being able to compete at this level of competition and have any hope of Olympic gold.  By focusing on the gold, they gladly persevere to be counted among the best in the world.

Perseverance is required for the follower of Christ too.  Jesus reminded us there would be plenty of trouble in this life.  Our faith, more precious than gold, keeps the goal of our eternal reward in heaven before us so that we can run the race with perseverance.  This “additive” to our faith is more than passive acceptance of what life dishes out.  It is a courageous, steadfast forward movement in the face of the storm knowing however bad the pain, something good beyond anything we can imagine is on the other side.

Perseverance is rooted in a strong faith focused on the ultimate goal.  Perseverance increases our faith as we draw closer to the prize.  Unlike most Olympians who compete but never get gold or any other medal, those who dig deep and persevere in Christ are guaranteed the prize.

FANNING THE FLAME

The Olympics provide an excellent opportunity to talk with your grandchildren about pain and perseverance using the athletes as examples.  What is it that drives them to compete and endure so much to be the best?  Talk about some of the hard times we face in life and how trusting Christ and His promises will help us persevere and keep going, even in the toughest of times.  Share some examples from your own life.

GRANDPAUSE: “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” -Apostle Paul (Phil. 3:12b)