Making the Most of Opportunities

People around the world focused on the Women's Snowboardcross at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. American, Lindsey Jacobellis, had a slight lead in the group of four. One Canadian fell and was later carried off the course. A second Canadian went through the safety fence and later recovered to take the Bronze medal. Switzerland's Tanja Frieden landed on the back of Lindsey's board, which caused her to wobble and allow Lindsey to take a commanding lead. On the next to last hill, Lindsey looked back to survey the field. Upon seeing her lead, she took her eyes off the finish line and began an early celebration. A simple trick to proclaim her victory ended in a wipeout! As Lindsey lay on the ground, scrambling to reenter the track, her Swiss competitor passed her and claimed the Gold medal. After the race, the TV broadcasters commented that Lindsey's face did not reflect one who had just earned a Silver medal, but rather one who had just given away a Gold medal.

Lindsey's tragedy poses a great reminder to Christians. The apostle Paul said, 1 Cor 9:24 (NIV) "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." He also reminded the believers at Philippi to "Forget those things which are behind and to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (KJV) Even the author of Hebrews says, "...Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (NKJV)

Paul warns the believers at Ephesus to "...be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don't be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good." (TLB) What are you doing with the opportunities God is placing before you? Are your eyes fixed on the finish line? Are you entertaining the crowds? Are you prematurely celebrating?

Believers can easily be lulled into a state of religiosity, observing, and entertaining the cloud of witnesses. Let me encourage you to passionately pursue Christ, get in the game as a participant, and bear down on the finish line! No Christian wants to stand before God as Lindsey Jacobellis stood before the world. Keep your eyes on Christ and make the most of every opportunity God places before you!