Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Lessons of Heart Placement from Special Olympics Athletes

I have the honor of coordinating volunteers for several local Special Olympics events. Every event, the athletes teach me more about what it means to be a child of God. Here are just two of my most recent lessons:

1. Take competition seriously, but in the end, hug your opponent.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven…” Matthew 5:43-45

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18

2. It doesn’t matter what place you get, as long as you finish strong and get a ribbon.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[e] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” Matthew 19:29-30

Being a child of God has nothing to do with physical stature or mental acuity. It has everything to do with heart placement.

May I always envision the truest hearts of these athletes when I approach the throne of my Savior, coming to Him with a pure heart and simple hope that He will say “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

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