Despite what many believe was the most appalling of all opening ceremonies, the 2024 Paris Olympics began in pouring rain. Some ten thousand athletes from over 200 countries competed at the sporting spectacle that stretches back millennia.
The apostle Paul would have been familiar with both the Olympics and the Isthmian Games held in ancient Greece. In fact, Paul drew on their popularity to convey important aspects of the Christian life, using athletic metaphors including wrestling, boxing, and endurance running.
Paul knew that no athlete could ever succeed without certain qualities of mind and attitude, no matter how talented they were. Hard work, determination and an unremitting perseverance are essential ingredients for success. All of those qualities are summed up in one word: discipline.
Discipline is the foundation for excellence in any walk of life, including that of a believer. It’s a habit, a routine that is cultivated on a daily basis to reach a particular goal.
