August 17, 2016–Devotions from Rio Olympics
Fencing

“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” Luke 12:49-56

There are some sports at the summer Olympics that are head scratchers when it comes to their place in world competition – at least that is my small minded opinion coming from my American upbringing. The competition of Fencing is one of those sports. The competitors look like astronauts – astronauts with little stingers coming out of their hands. Of course, when I think of fencing I think of the movies that involved The Three Musketeers. They were immensely skilled at fencing. The three of them could take on a large group of villains and prevail because of their fencing prowess. These three fencers could divide and conquer a group three times their number.

Jesus warns us that there will be times we feel outnumbered. There will be times we will feel as if we have our backs against the wall and we are about to be attacked by people with swords. Why? Because the world would rather hear a message of “Everything is OK” and “Do what you want” – rather than the message of “The last will be first and the first will be last” and “Take up your cross and follow me”. But, as followers, that is our task – to take this unpopular message to a world that does not want to hear us. But, take heart – though the fires of this world may heat things up – remembering our baptisms should cool us down – and keep us working together with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Or as it says in the book of Ephesians: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Ephesians 6:13-14)

Pastor Dave