2 out of 3

This picture and article go with the statement below:

For the first time in the 113-year history of the Olympics, an event will be without a gold-medal winner.

The International Olympic Committee on Wednesday reallocated two individual medals stripped from Marion Jones for doping but, in an unprecedented move, withheld her 100-meter prize from Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou because of her "disgraceful" behavior in evading drug tests.

The decision means the first two runners across the line in Sydney have both been denied the winner's medal for doping violations, and the gold in sprinting's marquee event will remain without an owner.

This morning as I read the news I came across this article. It is really sad and yet seemingly telling of our society today. It seems as though the world has "gone to pot", in this case figuratively and literally. And not a single bit surprising is the second place winners attitude, which is also a big issue today. No ownership, no personal responsibility. I wonder what people are thinking and then I realize very quickly that they are NOT thinking. When I looked at the picture with the two big veto's across faces I was immediately drawn to the third face. Obviously the only runner who truly ran. The only one who followed the rules. And as it is many times in life, the true "winners" are not recognized. I thought about how we are to be as Christians. The very best we can be in whatever we choose. Yet that best will be determined through following the right course, making the right choices, and plain old strength of character. 2 out of 3 people we meet will likely not have what it takes to be in Heaven. They ALL have hope, but we live in a culture that encourages us to put ourselves first. We constantly hear that we should only have to do what feels good. And yet, we know, this is so opposite what God calls us to! So opposite from what we know God is! Our lives are more than a simple (although we all know life it not simple) sacrifice to God....it is a sacrifice of the world. We will, for as long as we walk this earth hear the world calling to us, trying to demand it’s own way, I think we can truthfully say that it's the devil. We, as Christians have to continue to be strong, continue to see the world for what it is....a very temporary place our souls reside. Treat it like a visitor and don't move in to stay. We have far grander places to dwell if we will only hold fast to the Lord.