Young people wanting a military career, those training to be Olympic athletes, those choosing to become medical doctors, all know that there will be grueling times ahead of them before achieving their dream. That isn’t a secret. So, what is it that makes them so determined to face the inevitable pain they know will be required? What makes all the physical workouts, the hours and hours of cardio and weight training and running and diving and biking and studying, all the sleepless nights, still worth the effort? That prized goal: the promotion, the gold medal, the sheepskin inscribed with their name. Or, in Jesus’ case, we were that prize, so: “Jesus, . . . the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.” Hebrews 12:2, NLT.
In a few weeks, in Paris, approximately 15 million people will be in the stands watching displays of physical prowess as 10,500 athletes from 184 countries vie for top spot in their sport. Some will be in strong contention for the gold. Some will hope to medal. Others will be over the moon simply at having been given a place among the elite athletes of the world. All will have driven themselves mercilessly for years to insane levels of perseverance (perseverance meaning: ‘to go on resolutely despite opposition, counterinfluences, and discouragements’). For the average benchwarmer (yours truly), the events will include feats of strength, agility, and speed to boggle the mind.
In Salvation, we stand in the center of the winners’ podium like an Olympic athlete, receiving the gift of eternal life, having done nothing to be qualified for this prize. We find ourselves saturated with all the stamina and strategy and faith needed to victoriously live out our lives, and we gratefully, and humbly, offer up the ‘gold’ to Jesus, the author and finisher of our newly born faith. And to think! The victory is already won! Ours only to persevere, drawing from the abundance that has been amply supplied. We ‘persevere’ with Jesus’ perseverance. No sweat! PD
