ARE WE SKATING BY?

As I watch the skaters in the Winter Olympics, I’m amazed at their strength and stamina. What amazes me even more is how they get back up when they fall (Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.) (Psalm 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.),
and they keep going to finish their course. (1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.) They know that even though they’ve made mistakes, they get credit if they keep going.

Someone is keeping score of each individual performance. They aren’t getting compared to another skater. They are being compared to the qualifications and standards of the sport (2 Timothy 2:5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.).

They don’t get high scores for just “skating” and not doing anything of “value”. To get the high scores and the great reward, they have to “do” feats that seem impossible to many of us. (James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.) They train and train and try and try again and again to accomplish those great leaps and spins and stretches. They don’t give up. They have faith that their practice will pay off in the end. (Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.) They push themselves beyond their limits it seems. They have to keep going. They’re headed for the GOLD (Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.) They are focused on one thing: finishing the course to obtain the award (2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.)

It’s not enough to be on skates. You have to build up strength and stamina to qualify to be a contender in the sport and skate according to the rules. It is constant pushing the flesh beyond limits (Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.) and doing warfare (Ephesians 6:11-18 - 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;). Again, it’s not just about us, it’s doing it for our brothers and sisters. Just like the athletes represent their country, we are a part of each other. What we do affects the honor of the whole.

You are still a skater (still in the family of God), but will not receive the reward and will not please the Father. You say, “why do I need a reward or win the prize?” It’s not about you! It’s all for the Glory of God. Not for your glory. It’s all about bringing honor to Him, not to yourself. It’s about expressing your love for the One Who loved you beyond measure.

Revelation 4: 10-11 - 10The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on The Throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before The Throne, saying, 11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.