The nbcolympics.com website stated, "Olympic team leader says eight female badminton doubles players have been disqualified from the London Games after trying to lose matches to receive a more favorable place in the field. The Badminton World Federation investigated two teams from South Korea and one each from China and Indonesia. It accused them of 'not using one's best efforts to win a match' and ‘conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport’ in matches on Tuesday night." Of course, and as expected, the Indonesian team will appeal the accusation.
Meanwhile swimmer Michael Phelps made history when he earned his 19th Olympic medal - more than any other single athlete ever in the games and then added a few more for good measure. After struggling initially, many wondered if the great swimmer was about out of gas while in the water. But it seems that his great talent mixed with his exceptional determination to succeed drove him to two additional victories and to a place that no other in the games has ever reached.The Bible sometimes uses athletic terminology to make spiritual applications. One such place is Paul’s words to a young pastor and his own son in the faith. In 2 Timothy 2:3-5 he wrote, “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”
Then in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 he again uses phrases associated with sports to speak of the level of commitment often needed to win a highly demanding and elusive reward. Beginning in verse 24 he opens his thoughts in question form, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
It is likely that the disgraced badminton team members at the 2012 will be removed from the competition. If deemed guilty, they will lose their dream of an Olympic medal and the temporary glory that all brings. But Paul’s concern of being disqualified was not about being removed from competition for material gain. Nor was he worried over being banned from God’s eternal team. His fear was only about the unimaginable potential of losing his opportunity of being fully used to serve His Lord, using each and every remaining breath in this life that he would draw.
As one who considered himself the fully forgiven and justified ‘chief of sinners,' this man possessed but one all-consuming goal. His eyes were firmly fixed on God’s finish line – and never on his own. This was a priority that he would not jeopardize in any way or for any reason. And, unlike so many fragile human role models today, this man was a great sinner who had received a greater salvation – a reality outwardly evidenced in a consistent spiritual focus and drive that we can all learn from and strive to duplicate.
“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)
Bill Breckenridge
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