Who can ever
forget the sheer magic of 16 year old Gabby Douglas’ million dollar smile that
framed years of hard work and sacrifice?
Her dogged determination produced two gold medals and a big “I love you”
mouthed from the stands by her single parent mother whose prayers and struggles
to raise her children alone paid off.
While some got caught up in petty criticism of Gabby’s hair style, or
analysis of her mother’s financial woes, Douglas smiled broadly and soared into
the history books as the first African American to win the all-around gymnastic
trial.
When all-time winning gold medalist superstar swimming champion Michael Phelps lost his first race, a shocked world began to wonder if he was “washed up”. He could have easily accepted the message that maybe his time for victory had past and given up. Instead, Michael summoned an inner resolve, determined that one bad race would not define his whole Olympic experience, and went on at age 27 to become the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals. Phelps taught us all that one mistake in our youth, in marriage, a business deal, or a job, should not define the rest of our lives if we are committed to not letting our past become our future.
And what about Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius, the South African sprint runner, known as the “Blade Runner” and “the fastest man on no legs”, who ran on steel that replaced legs amputated from birth? Though Oscar did not win a medal in the 4x400 meter race, he won the hearts of people worldwide that have had their legs out from under them by poverty, bigotry, and hard times, but who stayed in life’s race determined to keep on running on whatever God gave them as legs.
When all-time winning gold medalist superstar swimming champion Michael Phelps lost his first race, a shocked world began to wonder if he was “washed up”. He could have easily accepted the message that maybe his time for victory had past and given up. Instead, Michael summoned an inner resolve, determined that one bad race would not define his whole Olympic experience, and went on at age 27 to become the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals. Phelps taught us all that one mistake in our youth, in marriage, a business deal, or a job, should not define the rest of our lives if we are committed to not letting our past become our future.
And what about Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius, the South African sprint runner, known as the “Blade Runner” and “the fastest man on no legs”, who ran on steel that replaced legs amputated from birth? Though Oscar did not win a medal in the 4x400 meter race, he won the hearts of people worldwide that have had their legs out from under them by poverty, bigotry, and hard times, but who stayed in life’s race determined to keep on running on whatever God gave them as legs.
We also learned
much from the 2012 Olympians who failed to win gold medals in the 2008 or 2004
Olympics, like Allyson Felix from Los Angeles, who finally won a gold medal in
the 200 meter race. African American
youth who have dropped out of school and out of life's race can learn many
lessons from Allyson about staying in the race despite the poverty, crime,
failing schools, gangs, drugs, and low expectations from too many around them.
The most
impactful image of the entire Olympics was the many instances of athletes from
different nations, many of them engaged in war or conflict with one
another. Yet, these athletes touched the
humanity in all of us as they completed their athletic races, and hugged one
another in a spirit of mutual respect for worthy opponents. What a lesson for
global leaders today, who are too quick to go to war or presidential candidates
knee deep in uncivil language and personal attacks that demonize one
another. The 2012 Olympians taught today’s
leaders that they can pursue the same goal---whether political office, land,
oil, or vital resources, without going to war or destroying one another.
And what
about the women in the Olympics? For the
first time, every nation had a woman athlete in every sport, despite the
oppression and discrimination that women continue to experience in far too many
nations today. Their very presence in
the Olympics taught us that there is something about the human spirit that just
will not be snuffed out even as the battle for human dignity and women’s
equality continues.
The
distinctions of race, culture, and geography and language were lost throughout
the Olympics as we heard story after story of extraordinary family financial
sacrifices and personal tragedies overcome.
These athletes taught us much as they dug down deep into the well of
human possibility, despite unbelievable odds against them, to even qualify for
the Olympics. We celebrated each Gold
Medalist, especially those from our country; understood the disappointment of
Silver Medalists who missed being the best by seconds, and identified with the
relief of Bronze Medalists, just grateful to be on the medal stand. We all want to be winners; the best in our
field, celebrated for our hard work, but sometimes, it is just good to be in
the race. While sports is very important
and being an Olympian is a worthy goal, all of us can “go for the gold” and
strive to be the best in the way we treat people from other races and cultures;
the poor, and those kicked to the side streets of life by circumstances beyond
their control. We can all “go for the
gold”, even if we just get the silver, bronze, or no medal at all, and strive
to be the best in all areas of your life, school, or work. St. Paul reminded us that we are all to press
toward the mark of God’s highest and best for each of us.
So today,
when life hands you lemons, smile like Gabby Douglas and make sweet lemonade in
your life and community. When others
tell you that you are finished, but God has blessed you with life, breath, and
talent like the South African "Blade Runner" – Oscar Pistorius – keep
on running toward God’s best for your life.
When you don’t get the gold medal, or even the silver and must settle
for the bronze, or no medal at all, like many of the athletes who came to
London with a dream of winning, don’t complain or bask in jealousy for the
person who got the promotion, contract, or won the political office, or achieved
better grades in school that you were seeking. Give thanks that you have the health and strength to just be in life’s
race at any level---able to make your special contributions to a better world.
Because life is like a race, we can all be Olympians and internalize daily the
many life lessons from this magnificent global contest.
