Scripture: Psalm 20

Key verses: (2-3) 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary,
and give you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your offerings.

Reflection: Despite the commercial frenzy and specter of doping that plagues every modern day Olympic event, Olympic fever was still easy to catch.  Watching people try to do their best among the best is well, the best. One thing we noticed was how different a ‘model’ athlete looked. If you lined up a gymnast, swimmer, wrestler, basketball player, shot putter, and golfer and asked who looked like the Olympian, who would you pick?  Gold may be the singular focus but it takes a mosaic of color, shapes, sizes and styles to achieve great things.

Did you watch the sprinter Andre De Grasse?  Overshadowed by the insane Usain Bolt, De Grasse yet shone as a new sprinter on the track scene setting records for his country and winning silver and bronze medals.  He didn’t start sprinting until late in high school and when he did run he lacked equipment and proper attire, yet he still was fast!  A coach noticed his natural talent and helped guide him to the world stage.  But here’s the thing.  De Grasse has an unorthodox form, sloppy even.  His left arm flails the faster he goes, lacking the tight, measured symphony of movement that sprinters aspire to exude. A good coach would look at that mess and spend hours of practice time correcting it. Unless of course it was working for you, then maybe like De Grasse’s coach, you just go with it.

God enjoys your honest offerings in exactly the way you make them. Only you have your style of movement and thought.  It’s just you who has lived your life and loved your loves, pondered your ponderings, and began your beginnings.  You have had enormous help — coaches in the form of friends, lovers, colleagues, enemies and family have encouraged, taught, and challenged you.  But your life’s gifts are your offerings. They are what you have done and are doing with all your blessings from God.  You might have perfect form or flail your arms like all get out; you might be as burly as a shot putter or sleek as a swimmer. Wherever you are and however you make them, your faithful offering to God will be remembered by the One who made it all possible in the first place.

The new school and church year is upon us. Delight our Lord with the sweat-producing, heartfelt offerings of your life. And flail those arms if you want to.

Prayer: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, Lord you made them all.  For my part in your mosaic, for my place in your plan, I rejoice and give you this day. In Jesus name. Amen.

Author: Derek Macleod

[Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved].