As I watch, the first thing I think about is how I really did dream (for a short time in 1984) to be the next Mary Lou. I know now that was never even an option, as my parents sacrificed what they did have to send us to the school we attended. Gymnastics wasn't in the picture. I was a cheerleader in high school- that's as close as I got! But, a girls gotta dream, right?
But this week as I've watched- especially the swimming- I've been thinking about some things. I had said to Jason earlier in the week that Phelps came across arrogant, after hearing an interview or two. His reply was simply, "He's earned it." The greatest Olympian in history. Maybe so. After hearing more interviews, I've changed my opinion I guess.
After tonight's win of his 21st medal, 17 of which are GOLD, I looked up a little history on Phelps. I found out he'd been swimming since he was seven years old.
He's spent 20 years of his life, give or take some days, in the water. Hours and hours of training, I'm sure getting up early, sacrificing who knows what- probably nothing close to what most would call a normal life. And all for what? Well, 21 Olympic medals so far.
Probably the same could be said for any athlete there competing- a lot of time and energy put into that one goal.
They invest all of their lives trying to attain the gold.
But even as Tim Daggett commentated the USA women's gymnastics team receiving their medals, he said himself that it was just a blur to him now, having also received a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics.
I'm not bashing the Olympics or dreaming dreams. I'm a teacher. Of course I want children to have goals and see some dreams come true.
In the eternal scheme of things, it's all for naught. As I was thinking about this, and just thinking of Phelps, "Well, he's laying up for himself treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupts," the Lord spoke to me. Yes, right there on our futon after watching Michael win. Don't you just love it when He does that? He put me in my place, I tell ya!
Here is what He said: How much time have you spent in the "water," Jennifer? How much of your life have you spent striving for this or that, which makes no eternal difference whatsoever? How much time and energy have you wasted on a "title" or a "record" or recognition for something that basically doesn't amount to a hill of beans? How much money have you spent (ouch!) on stuff instead of souls? How much time have I slept away, watched away, or googled away? I can tell you I'm sure I've spent way more time on the temporal than I have the eternal. I'm sure I have missed out on plenty of opportunities to minister because I was too caught up in whatever my "gold goal" was at the time.
I don't know what Michael will find himself doing after these Olympics are over. As for me, maybe it's time to get out of the water.
Matthew 6:19-20- "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Another thing I've thought about while watching the Olympics: How long does it take these commentators learn how to pronounce all these names?
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