I love watching the Olympics, even the gymnastics, though basketball and swimming is my favorite. There is something very inspiring watching people compete who have worked so hard at a particular skill. During interviews it is not uncommon to hear the athletes talk about their goals and how they have motivated  them in the pursuit of being the best at what they do, and win the gold medal. As human beings created in the image of God we have incredible potential to grow mentally, physically, and in character but very few ever come close to reaching that potential because it requires us to push ourselves outside our comfort zone on a constant basis and comfort is the god of our age and culture. The announcers are constantly referencing certain athlete’s “work ethic” and as they show video footage of their practice regime it is amazing. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one wins the prize, run in such a way as to win. They exercise self-control in all things to win a prize that will not last, but we exercise self-control in all things to win a prize that will last forever. Therefore I don’t run without aim and I don’t box as beating the air, but I discipline my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others I will not be disqualified for the prize”. We will stand before Jesus at the end of our life and be rewarded by Him with prizes that will last forever for the fruit that we have born for Him, for the work that we have done for Him. Those eternal rewards are worth us working very hard, learning skills, reading, memorizing, speaking, meeting needs, and many other things. The best tool for me to move me outside my comfort zone every day are the goals that I thoughtfully and prayerfully set so that I am not “running without aim and boxing as if beating the air”.