"I love the sense of satisfaction that I get when I’ve done a swimming workout or race, and know that I gave my whole being and heart to God in every moment of the swim. It’s the best worship I can offer him."
Home or away
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8Death is the ultimate reality for humans. It is a subject people prefer not to talk about. Paul has no such reluctance to face the issue. For him death – no longer being in his earthly body – means that he is at home with the Lord.
When we understand that it gives us a perspective on life. God has put us on earth and expects us to be active – to work and play. It is totally right that we take our career seriously, that we strive to achieve our potential.
Wanting to do the best that we can with the talents he has given us is 100% the right thing to do. At the same time we need to keep things in perspective.
I recently had a Bible Study with a group of athletes at a Diamond League. We joked about meeting again in 1000 years. For all the athletes the next day’s races were really important – and rightly so. But we also agreed that when we met again in 1000 years who had won the Diamond League 100 metres in 2018 probably wouldn’t seem that important! When you think ahead to a time when your earthly life is over, is “at home with the Lord” the image that comes to mind? It should be.