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

August 16, 2016–Devotions from Rio Olympics
Swimming

“Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:22:33

It is amazing to me how often Olympic and world records are broken at the winter and summer Olympics. Here in Rio I witnessed a swimmer break her own world record and finish a full five seconds in front of all of the other swimmers. And just the other day a runner in the 10,000 meter broke the world record by almost 30 seconds. How can it be that there is one athlete that is so much better that they stand out so much against all of the other competitors? Often, the answer comes down to how they are made. Besides being so committed that they are all in, it is also a fact that some people are born with body types that make them perfect for the sport they have chosen. Peter was made perfectly for the sport he was so engaged – being a follower of Jesus. He not only was the one to ask the questions, and to say what was on his mind – but he performed way above the others by daring to ask Jesus to “…command me to come to you on the water.”

There is nothing special about Peter except this: like a world class athlete might be made for their sport, Peter was made to follow, because he was all in. Peter put faith before logic, following before fear. Now, that is not to say that his humanity often caught up to his faith, and he faltered from time to time. But, he was willing to go all out. Jesus wants us to go all out for him – to jump into the deep waters of faith. Yes, we are going to sink once in a while, but we have to have the trust that Jesus will be there to catch us, and to set us on dry land – so we can follow again.

Pastor Dave