August 25, 2016–Devotions from Rio Olympics
Synchronized swimming

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.” Ephesians 5:1-2, 6-13

Synchronized Swimming is a hybrid – a mix of swimming, dance and gymnastics. Swimmers, swimming either alone or in duets, trios, combos, or teams, perform a synchronized routine of elaborate moves in the water, accompanied by music. I realize that many of the sports in the Olympics are based on activities that hearken back to a time when life was very different than life is today, but I am not so sure how this sport landed in the Olympic competition. But it did and it still is an Olympic competition. I am sure it demands a lot of training, stamina and coordination. I am sure the teams and individuals spend hours upon hours of time in the pool. But, I just can’t imagine myself participating in such a sport.

Now, many people might say the same thing about us Christians. They just cannot imagine doing what we do every Sunday, getting up early to trudge to a church and offer up prayer, praise and thanksgiving to G-d – let alone try to live our day to day lives following this idea of imitating Christ. But, truth be told, it takes as much training to live the Christ-like life as it does to be an Olympian. Does that sound like hyperbole? I do not think so. It takes years to learn to discipline yourself to live the Christ-like life. It takes years to realize we are better off being part of a Christian community, the gathering of the believers, than it is to try to live life alone. When we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, and the priesthood of all believers, that allows us to synchronize our lives of faith into beautiful acts of love, mercy and Grace.

Pastor Dave