March 2010
February was a busy month. We had Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day on the same Sunday. We also had the once every four years Winter Olympics in Vancouver. As a sport fan that I am, I tried to watch some Olympic games from time to time in spite of my busy schedule. I watched a very small part of the closing ceremony last night, and realized that I didn’t really watch that many games this year.
To me, Olympics are more than competitions. Of course it is a game of strength, speed, precision, coordination, style in individual events, and co-operation in many team events. I often wondered why there are so many athletes who dedicated so much time in training to represent their countries in competition. After all, there are only three medals given in every event. Many of them realized, before they came, that they had no chance of getting a medal, but still they trained to compete. Why? I believe it is because they love the game, and to be able to represent their respective countries is indeed an honor already. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter. Therefore, my conclusion is that there is no loser in the Olympics. In my book, they are all winners.
I love the Olympic for another reason. There are always dramas! This game is like human dramas all packed within two weeks of competitions. Before the Opening Ceremony, a Georgian luger died from a crash during practice. Should the IOC cancel the game? The decision was to continue with the event with a slight modification of the course—shorten it to lessen the danger. I thought of Life from this incidence. There are so many misfortunate things happen in the game of Life. The things we have no control over, bring tears of joy to some, while others end with tears of sadness. Every such event in Life helps us to slow down to either enjoy the moment or to think about how to press forward. New strategy and priority may have to be reset. I think to those who can adjust under adverse conditions will succeed.
There was an emotional story this year in the Winter Olympics. The mother of Joannie Rochette, the Canadian women’s figure skater died from a heart attack just three days before her daughter’s quest for a medal. I’d only imagine how difficult it was for her to concentrate in the competition. She continued in spite of this tragedy. She didn’t skate her best, but her effort landed a bronze medal. She later said, “It was a lifetime project with my mom and we achieved that.” Life’s un-expectancy! She met the challenge, and she won! How often we have to face such unexpected events in life! May God give you courage to face the challenges in this “Game of Life”.
Before I sign off, I would like to say to those who are in distress. I don’t know who you are, but I assure you that God knows. May I suggest to you to imitate a psalmist who wrote: “I lift up my eyes to the hill—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Pastor Larry
