13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3: 13-14
The Winter Olympics begins this week. I recently came across a story about Olympic speed skater, Dan Jansen, that related to these verses out of Philippians:
After falling twice in the 1988 Olympic speed-skating races, Dan Jansen sought out sports psychologist Dr. Jim Loehr, who helped him find a new balance between sport and the rest of his life, and who helped him pay more attention to the mental aspects of skating. Peter Mueller became his coach, putting him through workouts that he has since described as “the toughest I’ve ever known.” By the time the 1994 Olympics arrived, Jansen had more confidence than ever. He had set a 500-meter world record just two months previously. That race seemed to be all his!
Then, Jansen fell during the 500-meter race. Dr. Loehr immediately advised, “Start preparing for the 1000. Put the 500 behind you immediately. Stop reliving it.” The 1000! For years he didn’t believe he could win that distance. He had always considered it his weaker event. Now it was his last chance for an Olympic medal. As the race began, Jansen said, “I just seemed to be sailing along,” and then he slipped and came within an inch of stepping on the lane marker. Still, he didn’t panic. He raced on and recorded a world-record time that won him the gold medal! 1
Goals can be very intimidating, because it can sometimes feel like you might be setting yourself up for failure or disappointment. However, without goals you will never be pushed to achieve anything.
Our relationship with God should really be no different. We need to push ourselves to be more and do more within the Kingdom of God. Just like with the athelthes at the Olympics, it is going to take some hard work and training on your part. You may even need to set some goals for yourself. One goal we have set as a church staff is to read through the Bible in a year. You could have this goal or countless others: “Memorize one Bible verse a week or month.” “Share the Gospel with at least one person this month.” “Spend 15 minutes alone with my Bible & God every day.” You get the idea! Even if you fail at some of these goals, your walk with Christ will be so much better than if you had never tried.
“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.”
-Unknown- 1
1. “God’s Little Devotional for Graduates.” Honor Books, Inc., Tulsa, OK. 1995. Pgs 174-175.