The next series of blog entries will focus on different aspects of the Olympics and how we can apply these principles to our lives and our walks with Jesus Christ.
The Olympic Motto
• A motto is a phrase which sums up a life philosophy or a code of conduct to follow.
• The Olympic motto is made up of three Latin words: "Citius, Altius, Fortius", which means "Faster, Higher, Stronger".
• These three words encourage the athlete to give his or her best during competition, and to view this effort as a victory in itself.
• The sense of the motto is that being first is not necessarily a priority, but that giving one's best and striving for personal excellence is a worthwhile goal. It can apply equally to athletes and to each one of us.
So what is our motto as Christians? Regardless of how we phrase it, we should strive to do it for Christ “Faster, Higher, Stronger” than anything else we do. Are you giving your best in everything you do? Are you taking the victory for yourself or giving the praise and glory to Christ?
Here are a few figures from this Olympics to challenge you.
FASTERMichael Phelps – As of today, he has won 7 Gold medals in this Olympics, tying the record set by Mark Spitz. He has set 6 World Records.
HIGHERChris Estrada and Erin Blanchard were named to the 2008 U.S. Olympic trampoline team. For the first time, the U.S. will be represented in both men's and women's trampoline in an Olympic Games.
STRONGERLong Qingquan, the 17-year-old Chinese weightlifter, achieved two junior world records on his way to winning the gold in the men's weightlifting 56kg category. The event is scored by totaling the weight lifted in the snatch and the weight lifted in the clean & jerk. Long's world records were for the snatch (132 kg) and for total weight (192 kg).
Just something to think about. Putting yourself before others should not be the most important, but you should give your best and strive for excellence. Especially of you are give Christ all of the credit.
Some verses to consider when thinking about your personal motto:
Matthew 22:37-39
37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Matthew 5:14-16
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
SET YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO AND LIVE BY IT!
