March 6 - Lenten Devotional

I was actually looking for a good break at some point to reflect on a discipleship lesson I enjoyed watching unfold... as did many of you - the Olympics. So the Gospel of Luke is on hold for a day and instead I share three memories of these recent Olympic games.

The first memory was watching the end of the 50 kilometer cross country race as the television coverage stayed to watch even the last racer cross the line - and the crowd gave that racer a standing ovation. Just finishing the race was cause to celebrate.

The second memory was watching competitors who were standing in line to win a gold medal and when the last skier, or skater... or whatever, crossed the line and beat their time they still celebrated that they won silver. Granted not all the competitors acted this way - but it seemed to me that it was true of most of them. This particular phenomenon was amplified by the competitors who were happy just to post good performances without ever having a chance or expectation to medal.

The final memory was watching the speed skating pursuit event. It was a team of three skaters. They had to skate a long race together, and the last skater to cross was the time recorded for the whole team. I thought - this is a boring event, whatever team has the best worst skater wins. I couldn't have been more wrong. In fact many of the teams who did the best had all the "worst" skaters out there... but they knew how to work together. They could act in concert with one another without speaking. They're movements were perfectly timed and coordinated - and they beat better racers!

Just finishing the race is cause to celebrate!
We are just happy to have done well - no matter the consequence!
Working together is more important than personal skill!

What we saw... in the midst of a competition that should have been far from the way of discipleship... was some core aspects of discipleship in motion - and it was inspiring!

Are you celebrating the simple joy of being in the race?

Are you content with trying hard and doing well without the need for good consequences?

Are you working with others to make each other better rather than achieve individual excellence?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Triune God,
Help us to live in relationship as you do, working together in harmony so that we support, affirm, and encourage one another in all that we are called to do and be
no matter the consequences. And remind us to do so with some celebratory flair!
Amen.