The One Worth Running To

As a sports enthusiast and a French resident, how could I not talk about the Olympics? During the Games, I took a three-day holiday and headed into the capital to see things up close, and it did not disappoint! I’ve never seen Paris so happy. I was able to see the men’s and women’s marathons, which were quite impressive. I also participated in a race put on in connection with the Games, but for non-Olympians such as myself. I took to the streets of Paris at midnight along with approximately 40,000 others. Despite the late hour, there were thousands of people out cheering us on, and I don’t think I’ve experienced anything quite like that before. When I left Paris to go home, I felt a sense of nostalgia.

The Games, as much as I enjoy them, are also a reminder to me of just how distant much of the world is from God. The ceremonies were beautiful yet pagan, with depictions of, and allusions to, numerous Greek and Roman deities. This should not actually be shocking, as the ancient Olympic Games were intrinsically religious. Originating in the 8th century BC, the Olympics were part of a religious festival in honor of Zeus. Although there are probably very few people nowadays professing to be Zeus worshippers, humans are quick to worship created things rather than their Creator (Romans 1:25). The modern-day Games are not part of a religious festival, but they remain pagan in the way that they glorify human beings, celebrating the best performing athletes and placing them on pedestals, literally. Sport, for many, has become their religion.

So how do I, a lover of God with a penchant for sport, respond and act within this pagan and human-centered context of the Olympics? I am reminded of the apostle Paul and his time in Athens. He found himself in an extremely pagan environment, which disturbed him, but he didn’t take offense or revolt, nor did he run and hide. He engaged with the Athenians, using their own poets and an altar “to an unknown god” to proclaim the one true God to them (Acts 17:16-34). I have been encouraged to see and hear about the many ways Jesus-followers have done similarly during the Games. I know of several professional athletes who use their platform to talk about Jesus and share the Gospel. They recognize their athletic skill as a God-given gift to be used to bring glory to His name instead of their own.

There have also been several initiatives made by French churches and believers to proclaim the Gospel and simply love and bless those who have come to Paris from all over the world. The Bible itself uses several athletic metaphors to describe the spiritual life, so what better place to speak to people about running the race of faith than at a global sporting event!

Please pray with me for the French people, and for the nations, to recognize that the very One who formed them loves them and wants to give them something far better than a medal that will rust or a moment of glory that will pass away. And please pray for me in my day-to-day life, that I would use the gift of sport to engage with my friends and point them towards the only One worth running to.