Our Canadian neighbors to the north had a bad day - Team Canada lost to Team USA in their national sport of hockey. Then Canada had a good day. Their ice dancing team edged out the American and Russian teams to win the gold medal.
The Canadian couple who won were absolutely glowing up there on the podium as they proudly raised their gold medals and joined the crowd in an impassioned singing of "O Canada!" They mirrored the explosive joy of many other athletes who have won that coveted gold medal.
I've been blessed to be given a few awards in my life, beginning with the trophy I got in eighth grade for winning the Boone County, Illinois spelling bee. Please, no autographs. But even with some awards that came later in life, the moment of "glory" faded pretty quickly. And honestly, I'm not sure where most of those awards are today; probably in a drawer or closet somewhere.
It isn't that I didn't appreciate the thought. It's just not the prize I covet. If I can ever attain the one reward I really want, my elation and emotion will blow away anything you'll see on an Olympic podium. It is, in my mind, the only real "medal" worth giving my all for.
And it's not a medal. It's six words. Words I hope I'll hear from the lips of Jesus when I cross the finish line in "the race marked out" for me (Hebrews 12:1). I run for the prize of hearing my Savior say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).
Those Olympians have literally lived their lives based on the ultimate reward they wanted - the gold. Getting there has meant uncommon discipline, focus and sacrifice. But watching their victory celebration, I suspect they would tell you it was all worth it. And that's just for what the Bible calls "gold which perishes" (1 Peter 1:7).
Once you've decided what reward is worth working for, you arrange your life around getting it. There is no greater reward than the approval of Jesus Christ. He's the King of all kings. He's the One who holds the universe together. He's the glory of Heaven. He's the center of the worship of a hundred million angels (Revelation 5:11). He's the Lamb of God who went to the slaughter for me.
What could be greater glory than hearing this Jesus say at the end of my race, "Well done! You're a champion in My eyes. You've been faithful in a few things. I'm going to make you ruler over many things." That's better than a million gold medals.
And it helps me focus how I spend my time and who I will live to please. The Olympic skaters skate for the judges who will decide who gets the gold. The applause of the crowd is nice, but you do the things that will please the one whose approval decides the prize. If I "always do what pleases Him" (John 8:29), sometimes the crowd will like it and sometimes they won't. It doesn't matter. Not if you're "working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Colossians 3:23-24).
Martin Luther said there were only two days on his calendar - today and Judgment Day. So you live the one in light of the other. It clarifies the things that really matter and the things that really don't.
As I watch the Olympic champions overwhelmed with their gold medal, my heart fast-forwards to the day my "event" is over. Oh Jesus, I just want to hear You tell me, "Well done." Until then, may I pay the price and make the choices that bring joy to You. I want You to be proud of me.
After it's all been said and all been done, does anything else really matter?