“Choice Morsels” Friends,
   We plan to leave this week on a long Westward journey, visiting supporting churches, family and friends. We are trusting God for a safe journey and to be a blessing to many people. We need your prayers.  David and Donna Haag

THE BEST IN THE WORLD

“All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.” I Corinthians 9:25 (MSG)

   The Olympics – what excitement and anticipation for good athletes from around the world! Hundreds of young people practice thousands of hours to improve their abilities in the sport they specialize in. They sacrifice time that could be spent with friends and family. They don’t count the cost if they have to arise early in the morning or work until late at night. They are willing to give up luxuries in life, if it means spending money to buy equipment needed to improve the sport they excel in. It is all willingly given – looking forward to the day when they can compete with others from around the world. Their eye is upon being “the best in the world” and winning the coveted gold medal. The great event finally arrives. Money in hundreds of millions has been spent by the country chosen to host the Olympics to produce this ostentatious occasion - trying to impress the world. The sportspeople all do their best in each event – all with the purpose of being “the best in the world” and winning the gold medal. When it is all over, only a small percentage of the athletes win the gold.

   Those with the gold, are now telling the world they are perhaps the “best in the world” in that category, and after the glory and honour, what then? A few go on to be professionals or famous, but others go back home with only the memories – and the gold medal. In a few years the gold medal will become tarnished, the athlete will grow old and be forgotten by most people – memories are all that remain. Being “The best in the world”, in the Olympics, is so temporary, and soon their achievement will be surpassed by someone else.

   As children of the Lord, we can learn a lesson from these athletes. As they put their sport ahead of everything else, we should put serving and working for the Lord ahead of all else in our lives. They are striving to win the gold medal, which becomes old and dull, but we are striving to get to heaven where we will walk on streets of gold eternally. “The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass.” (Revelation 21:21b MSG) They are striving to be “the best in the world”; we are striving to be best in the eyes of heaven. Their achievements are written in the records on earth; our achievements are recorded eternally in heaven. The athlete becomes old and forgotten by most people; we will be forever young with our Lord, and forever remembered by our Lord.

Will it be World’s best gold or Heaven’s best gold?