The Winter Olympics are in full swing, and even though most of the showcased events are niche sports, large audiences are still tuning in each night.
There's a slew of figure skating fans who love watching a sport similar to dancing...and extreme sports fans are certainly drawn to the coverage of snowboarding, skiing, luge, and skeleton. We all try to like (and understand) curling and believe it's one sport we could actually do.
The truth is, the majority of people turning on the Olympics are more drawn to the individual athletes and the stories that have led them to compete in this world-renowned event. We want to know what makes them stand out and the reasons to root for them.
Hearing about their struggles, sacrifices, breakthroughs, and perseverance draws us into the details of their unique journeys.
Last night, the spotlight was on Shaun White who became a 3-time Olympic gold medalist. Over the years we've witnessed him taking snowboarding to a whole new level, and his amazing story continues to be written.
The commentary took us through his ups and downs, as we discovered the mistakes he's made...times when he's lacked motivation (he placed fourth at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi)...and how a major crash last October resulted in ICU and 62 stitches.
Despite what he's been through, White left it all on the halfpipe last night. He finished with the best run of his career, and fans got to see him win another gold medal for an outstanding and memorable performance.
Stories in sports, as well as in life, have power and meaning that reveal who we are and how we actually got to where we are. Even though our journeys may not be shared on a screen in front of millions like White's, we all have experiences and moments worth telling.
When we are willing to open up and let others know about our struggles and how we've overcome challenges, we can be an inspiration and encouragement to them.
As followers of Jesus, this is especially important because we can point others to the defining moments of God’s grace, goodness, faithfulness, and miraculous power. Stories of redemption, and testimonies of Jesus transforming our lives, can have a tremendous impact on those we decide to tell.
The Bible is filled with stories of people's mishaps, determination, faith, and adventures. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul wrote about his powerful story, which included a dramatic turn in his life.
Throughout Acts 26, we find out that Paul was known for being opposed to Jesus, and for making sure believers were sent to prison and eventually killed.
However, Paul also reveals that his life was totally transformed when He encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. In verse 15 the Lord tells Paul, "‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness.'”
Paul’s full story is extraordinary, and the fact he had such a dramatic change is inspiring and encouraging to all of us - even so many years later. If Paul can be transformed, any of us can!
Maybe our own stories aren’t as crazy as Paul's, but they still matter. If we’ve been following Jesus, they carry meaning and value while pointing to His character and work in our lives. We are no longer the same, and the key moments of our journeys reveal His realness and goodness.
Today, let’s share our testimonies and trust God to inspire and encourage others. People are drawn to truth, real-life experiences, and backstories, so let’s tell them the incredible things God has done for us.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the story You are writing in my life. I pray that You would use it for Your glory as I share what I’ve been through with others. I pray my journey would be used to reveal who You are and Your mighty power. It’s in Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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