Use the future to shape today.

The story of Chad le Clos’ Olympic victory over Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly need not be told here. Needless to say, it has been celebrated repeatedly in the media and interviews with his Dad – who refers to Chad as “my beautiful boy” – have brought tears to millions of eyes. Indeed, one such interview seems to have gone viral on You Tube.

Be that as it may, I was struck by Chad’s reflections on an interaction he once had with a fellow student at Westville Boys High in Durban. The lad in question observed that Chad was very “lucky” to have been awarded full colours for swimming. Chad was clearly of the opinion, however, that success in swimming has less to do with luck than hard work and discipline. So he talked about his Friday nights when socialising with friends had to be sacrificed on the altar of Saturday morning galas. No doubt early Fridays were the tip of the iceberg where sacrifices were concerned.

As I watched Chad on the winner’s podium, his lip quivering and tears sliding down his cheeks, it occurred to me that a future hope will inevitably shape the present. The hope of winning gold must have shaped Chad’s life for months and years at a time, right down to the details of every hour, minute, second and in the case of the final, every hundredth of a second.

An image of Chad on the podium flashed across my mind’s eye a few weeks ago when I read:

1 Peter 1:13 ... prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

The “grace” you will receive when Christ returns is immortality and an eternal reward. These sure beat an Olympic gold medal, and you must allow the hope of eternity to shape your life.

In the Greek, the only imperative in this verse is “set your hope fully”. But Peter uses two pictures to illustrate how to “set your hope”.

The first picture is one of a man running. The phrase “prepare your mind for action” could be translated more literally as “gird up the loins of your mind”. The dress of Peter’s day included a long “shirt” that hung down to the ground. This “shirt” had to be tucked into the belt so that the runner would not get entangled in it.

If your focus is the return of Christ, you will be ever watchful and alert, making sure that your mind has not become entangled with lies, obsessions or worldly philosophies and values.

So the first picture was of a man trying to run but getting tangled in long flowing garments. The second picture is of a drunk. A drunk is not self-controlled. He is controlled by alcohol.

If your mind is focused on the winner’s podium, you will not allow anything to take control of you. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:12, “I will not be mastered by anything”. What is mastering you at the moment? Perhaps it is fear, or bitterness, or the love of money, or anger, or insecurities, or an addiction or problem behavior.

Larry Norman sings, “this world is not my home – I’m just passing through”. Do not live as though this life is all there is. It is a constant battle, I know. People must see the hope of eternity shining in the way you think, in the things you do or do not do and in your treatment of others. Therefore, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed, and use hope to shape today.

God is for you

At the age of 19, Derek Redmond shattered the British 400m record. He went on to attend the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games but sadly had to withdraw from the 400m race with an Achilles tendon injury. Redmond endured numerous operations but was determined to recover his form and compete in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

True to his aspirations, Redmond qualified for the Barcelona Olympics and found himself at the start of the first semi-final heat. His Father, Jim Redmond sat on the edge of his seat in the grand stand, watching with baited breath as his son erupted from the blocks.

“Redman has got off very fast indeed,” declared the commentator.

Things were looking good, which made what happened next knock the breath out of the 65 000 strong crowd. Down the back stretch and less than 200m from finishing line, Redmond grasped at his right leg and stumbled to a halt before falling to his knees.

65 000 voices groaned in unison. But I am sure that there was only one person in the entire stadium exploding from his seat – Jim Redmond. As Derek began hopping along his lane, brushing away help and determined to finish, Jim was barging down his aisle, vaulting over security barriers and avoiding officials.

Derek had one thing on his mind: to finish the race. And Jim had one thing on his: to help Derek do it. As Jim ran up to his son, Derek steadied himself on his Dad’s shoulder, and they crossed the line together.

“Whatever happens (sic) he had to finish, and I was there to help him finish. I intended to go over the line with him. We started his career together. I think we should finish it together,” said Jim in an interview after the race.

Recently, I have felt as if I have pulled a muscle in the race of life. I am determined to finish, but like Derek Redmond I am hopping along on one leg. Perhaps you feel the same way. If you do, I would like to give you the same assurance that God gave me.

Your Father is not sitting up in the stands watching you hobble along. He isn’t cheering from a distance or asking himself “I wonder what he’s up to now, limping along when he should be running”.  No, your Father is on the track with you. He is holding you up with his arms. He wants to speak words of encouragement into your ear. Your Father is a GOOD Dad like Jim Redmond ... but even better.

Jim Redmond said, “We started his career together. I think we should finish it together.” The Bible says, “(God) who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). You must just be determined to finish the race. And God will help you to do it.

Cheers for now - Ian