Lessons from the Olympics

The Olympic Games are on!  It's been exciting to catch some of the games and see athletes do what most of us could only dream of doing!  Take for instance, five-foot-five, Taylor Henrich, from Calgary, a ski jumper.  Henrich describes the thrill of taking off "It's an adrenalin rush, but it's relaxing at the same time.  I love it.  It's the best feeling in the world."  Why relaxing?  "You get to be really free.  Its' kind of a weird concept I guess, but when you fly, there's really nothing holding you back- unless it's wind. Basically, you're defying gravity.  So you're fighting to stay on top in the flight.  And it's fun going far."

What a great description!  Perhaps one reason why we are so captivated by the Olympics is the thrill of watching the best-of-the-best athletes perform with grace, beauty and excellence.  I can't imagine the terrifying yet thrilling leap that a ski jumper makes.  I'll never know how an ice skater can dance near perfection.  Or how an athlete responds when they make a crushing mistake midway through their performance. But, what I do know, is that I can learn so much from these amazing athletes.

Let's take fear.  Olympians seem fearless. How does fear keep you in a grip?  How does fear keep you from being your true self? What do you fear most?  Fear can keep us from performing at our best in our jobs, our relationships and our life in general.  All throughout the Bible, God instructs his people not to fear, but to trust Him.  We know that is easier said than done! God promises a peace that passes all understanding, if we would but trust Him.  

Let's take mistakes. Every Olympian wants a perfect performance.  They've been training for a lifetime. Yet, mistakes happen.  We all make mistakes!  Yet, how we respond to mistakes matters.  Are we able to learn and grow through our mistakes?  Sometimes, we're so overwhelmed with guilt when we botch something that we miss the teachable moment.  I'm sure there are many Olympians who have grown leaps an bounds, not by their peak performances, but by their failures and mistakes.  God's word even reminds us that even though our mistakes may be hard at the time, they will produce a greater harvest later in our lives.  (Hebrews 12:11) Do you beat yourself up for your mistakes?  Or take them to God and ask Him to help you grow through them?  

As you watch the remainder of the Olympics, think about the life lessons you can gain while watching and listening to the athletes.  Embrace a fearless life.  Learn from your mistakes.  Let nothing hold you back from doing your absolute best.  Persevere through the ups and downs of life.  Above all, never, never, never give up.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.