FAY ROWE

Originally posted on February 27, 2010

From the opening ceremony of the 21st Winter Olympics to the closing celebration, our television was tuned to the games. I cheered at the awards, cried at the poignancy of Joannie Rochette’s skate, held my breath when bobsledders crashed out, and felt the pain of those who grieved over missing their goal by a fraction of a second after hours of struggle. I also hooted and hollered with joy at that final goal in the men’s hockey gold game.

It was quite a ride and it brought home to me, once again, the thought that, when all is said and done, we were born to win. 

In fact, not only does our heart almost burst at the point of winning, even the striving itself brings a special kind of joy. I know that very well.

Certainly, all of us fail once in a while. Without the occasional failure, we probably aren’t attempting much But even the failures are worth the effort. If we’re smart, we learn from them, and the lessons become part of our road to success. In fact, those lessons are more often than not well worth the pain of disappointment. They are, at the very least, evidence of God’s ability and willingness to turn whatever life throws at us into our good, and that is precious.

How we strive, win, or lose will say a lot about our character, and as time goes on we grow in our ability to handle each of those with honour and patience. Some would say  the struggle and the growth that comes from it are the point of it all anyway. 

Whether or not that last is true I cannot say, but I do believe we all came honestly by both the desire to win and the willingness to persevere, to press for the mark. They are part of the spiritual DNA of every human being. And with good reason and purpose, I am sure.

Some may wonder what is the worthy result of the games. The Olympic committees always state the good for which they are intended, to bring nations together and to inspire the young to great endeavour.

To my thinking, the way the games brought my country together this past week was priceless. It may not last, but for a while, as one, we rejoiced in the athletes’ victories, took on their disappointments, supported them when they grieved, and were encouraged by their courage. 

Another worthy result was that those young people from all over the world became our example, or should have. Hopefully, by seeing what was in them, we were reminded of what is in us.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; whofor the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Hebrews 1-3).