Journey to the OlympicsSample

Giving God the Glory No Matter What

Devotional:

In the ancient Olympic Games, there were no gold, silver, or bronze medals. When asked "What is the prize for the winner?,” "An olive wreath" came the answer. Yet even with such a simple prize, the victorious athletes received honor and praise. Their deeds were recorded for future generations to appreciate. Athletic glorification has carried over into modern-day sports as well. Olympian Jessica Beard gives a different perspective on who is to receive the glory — no matter what the outcome.

Jessica offers a great perspective on both glorifying God and remaining humble. The world often equates winning with glory and being humbled with losing — that is not the Biblical way. We are called to give God the glory no matter what the outcome. True humility comes from having a right understanding of who we are in light of who God is. In that way, even an Olympic gold medalist can be humble and someone who suffers defeat can give God the glory. Both are a choice that we each can make. It does not matter if we are on a world stage like the Olympics or a quiet back office at the factory. Give God the glory and be humble.

Live It Out:

• Apply: What is a way you can give glory to God right now?
• Pray: Pray that in everything these athletes do, they would be glorifying the Lord. Pray that they would work at everything with a humble heart.