I am exhausted! After working all day, then often out for evening events, I still have to swoop and leap around the arenas with our skaters, tuck in my head with our bobsledders, dodge the Koreans with our speed skaters and toss the perfect rock with our curlers. These armchairs Olympics are just way too much! I find myself falling into bed well after midnight either delirious with joy over a win or in the pit of despondency over a loss. I am glad the closing ceremonies are only a couple of days away and life can return to normal.

The Canadian athletes have done us proud. Oh sure, many commentators and nay-sayers comment on the losses instead of the wins but we have much to be grateful for. Our talented young people have competed honestly and to a high standard of excellence. They have exhibited grace under pressure. Often after a challenging event they have patiently answered the questions of the reporters and expressed gratitude with humility. And they look like they are having so much fun! Role models indeed.

This Sunday at our early service we will be looking at some of the scripture verses that use the race as a metaphor for the practice of our Christian faith … “run that you may obtain the prize”; “run with perseverance the race that is set before us”; “fought the good fight … finished the race”. I wonder what our church would look like if, in fact, we practiced our faith the way an athlete practices for a race. What would it mean to prepare for each day with a faith-filled workout similar to an Olympian? Would that change your daily activity? Would it make your faith different? I am going to be giving this more thought as the Olympics wind down. How about you?