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TechnoratiFinally 1960 Olympics in Rome arrived, and Wilma became the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympics. She won the 100-meter and 200-meter races and anchored the U.S. team to victory in the 4x100-meter relay, breaking records along the way.
Michael Phelps and Wilma Rudolph had one thing in common … focus. You see, I tell you this story not only because it’s amazing, but also because it reminds me of us. Why? Well, we all have disabilities - ‘braces’ - not on our legs, but on our hearts and lives. They hold us back from experiencing life the way it’s supposed to be experienced.
You know what I mean, right? Habits, addictions, struggling home life, fear of failure, disappointments, shattered dreams, pressure and pride - anything that makes us feel trapped or limited.
But like Michael Phelps and Wilma Rudolph, we want to succeed. We want the best out of life.
Success for her was to take her focus off her braces and limitations, and keep her eyes fixed on the gold medal at the Olympics. Bronze wasn’t good enough - it had to be gold.
Success for us is taking our eyes off ourselves, our problems, and our world and focusing - not on a gold medal or any other thing - but on a person.
That person is Jesus Christ. Focusing on a career or a title or a salary or a school are not bad things - unless they are your only thing. That’s when they become a bronze medal. But the gold is Christ because when you focus on Him and put His honor in first place, everything else falls into place.
Here’s the way the Bible puts it:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
What’s your focus? Do you want to succeed in a way that lasts for eternity? Yes? Then take a cue from Michael and Wilma - and set your eyes on the relationship that is pure gold -
Jesus Christ.
Head: When we fix our eyes on Jesus and focus our priorities on His honor, we will succeed in this life and in the life to come.
Heart: A story like Wilma Rudolph’s or Michael Phelps is incredibly inspiring. When you think of their sacrifice and dedication, think of what Jesus Christ did to purchase your salvation and to offer you the best life possible.
Hands: To focus your life is to start each day asking Jesus to help you keep Him in first place and care more about His will than your own. Are you willing to do that each day?
Lane Palmer serves as a writer for Dare 2 Share Ministries (D2S) in Arvada, Colorado, a ministry committed to energizing and equipping teenagers to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information about D2S, please visit www.dare2share.org.
