RBWords - Volume 36 - Number 7: July 2023
Something to Think About
R.B.WORDS - VOL. 36 - NO. 7 - JULY 2024 ################################### SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT - If you are like me, the 2024 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES in Paris, France, are a welcome distraction from the raucous and increasingly nasty political noise going on in our own country. It is true that successful results in the form of a gold, silver or bronze medal can have the effect of making an athlete an immediate public figure to be exploited by those who see political or financial gain or prestige. I simply admire the mostly young athletes who give so much time, effort and idealism to realize the dream of even just participating. So far, I have heard a number of athletes in post-event interviews express appreciation for simply having the opportunity to compete in the Olympics! That opportunity is not simply an egotistical but almost spiritual quest that takes months and years of preparation. One break in the telecast featured all the falls and frustrations that can occur along the way to the Olympics. An additional value that appears is the importance of teamwork. This comes in at least two forms. One form is a competing team of athletes who must work together and think WE and not ME. The other is the “team” that is involved in training and supporting an athlete or team of athletes. There is an investment of time and finances, to be sure, but it can also be an investment in love and prayer and support. I have noted some athletes giving thanks to God for their experience. I wish the political life of our country could produce the kind of good will and enjoyment that I can vicariously enjoy by watching it on TV. Maybe that’s too much to ask, but one can always hope!!! IT’S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
It Has Been Said
“ Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not fight as if I were shadow-boxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.”
From St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 9:24-27
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