Racing Headfirst (Friday Devotional)

 

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

- Matthew 28:19-20

For the past week, the eyes of the world have turned to Milan, where athletes from 93 countries are competing in the Winter Olympics. From the dazzling triple axels of the figure skaters to the eye-popping ski jumps to the baffling rules of curling, there’s something for everyone to watch.

One of my favorites to tune in for is skeleton, which has been a permanent fixture at the Winter Olympics since 2002. Comparable to luge and bobsled, this sport demands each participant ride a small, flat sled headfirst down a frozen track after getting a running start. Riders plunge down the track at speeds exceeding 80 mph, using only their bodies to direct the twists and turns. While slower than luge or bobsled, skeleton has always seemed the scariest of the three sliding sports to me for two reasons: the complete lack of protection the sled gives you and the direction you are facing. There’s something truly terrifying about going that fast headfirst!

Not only is that image a scary one, it seems metaphorical as well—sometimes life feels like a skeleton race. Things come at you fast, dangerously fast. It feels like you’re all on your own, with no teammates or protection if you crash. And you’re watching it all with wide eyes as you hurtle through life headfirst.

But for believers, there is comfort in knowing that these insecurities are grounded in fear, not reality. For those who know Jesus, life is not a solo sport, but one in which God is with you always. You are not without protection, but are in fact empowered by the Holy Spirit. And far from being a helpless passenger hurtling through life, you are given purpose and a mission by the Lord: to proclaim the gospel in word and deed.

Life can be scary sometimes, but what a comfort to know that God has given us what we need to persevere in his name. So carry on today, knowing that your “gold medal” awaits in eternity!