Refuse to quit

Yesterday was the Men's Triathlon event at the Olympic. And boy what a sight.

With a lap to go, Simon Whitfield (Canadian) was slowing down by a few seconds. In front of him were three guys. They were running stride by stride. The race seemed grim. With every step, the group was pulling further and further from him.

It seemed that medal is out of reach for Canada. Even the reporter lost the enthusiasm. Out of nowhere, with about 800 m to go, Whitfield came back strong. He dig deep and ran pass the three contenders.

In a split second the whole game changed. The three fighting for medals became a battle of staying alive.

Simon Whitfield ended up winning silver for the race.

As I watched this game, I am reminded the life that we need to live as a Christian.

With 800 m to go, Simon Whitfield has a decision to make. Either he drop the hammer and give it all, even at the risk of blowing himself apart or he will end up at a comfortable fourth place...medal-less. There is no guarantee what's going to happen. No one knows how will the other three response. Will they follow? Will they run past him?

Everyday we have a decision to follow Christ or not. We either get up every morning, deny ourselves and take up our crosses or we don't. We either fight against our sin or we don't. We either beat our flesh to submission or we don't. We either stay comfortable or we don't.

I don't know what was going on in Simon's head. But I do think that he reflected on the pass four years as he trained for this race.

As I got into the world of triathlon, I started to appreciate the lessons that this sport taught me. A large part is the battle against one's mind. The endless choices and sacrifices one needs to make to prepare oneself. Getting up at 5 am on a routine basis strengthens the mind.

First and foremost, the gauntlet he set down by declaring of his intention to win gold at Beijing Olympics. Then working tirelessly, on this goal, everyday for four years.

As Simon pounded the pavement in the last lap, he must have thought about the sacrifices he made along the way. The sacrifices his teammates made along the way. On the same field was Colin Jenkins, another Canadian Triathlete. Jenkins sacrificed his quest for medal by riding hard on the bike to protect Whitfield from the wind and from any attacks.

In an individual sport, we see camaraderie and team work (this is why I love triathlon). In an event where an athlete participate only two or three times in their life time (if they are lucky), one man made a decision, 'I am going to give it up and I am going to give you all the glory.'

Whitfield's worst fear is ending fourth. In a battle of pain and will, he fought to finish strong. He made the gutsy move and go for it all.

As Christians, we are call to finish the race strong. And sacrifices are made along the way. And when the times are tough. When the trials are coming. When we are not sure when we have anything left...that's when we have to focus on the end of the race. We have to remember the sacrifices that were made for us to have a relationship with Him.

Jenkins finished last in the race. As the other triathletes crossed the finish line, their shoulders slumped. Some might be disappointed by their performance. Some might be just tired from an exhausting race. Jenkins, instead, smiled along the way and tried to get the crowd to cheer.

I am reminded once again about being a follower of Christ. Like Jenkins, in the race, willing to sacrifice not for self glorification but for something bigger than himself. In the narrow road to heaven, I am continue to serve and sacrifice for the bigger picture. And there is joy in doing so.

I love triathlon because in a race that last for two hours, we see Simon Whitfield, a man refusing to quit. Refusing to give in. For a medal that will not last.

Can I, a Christian, be even more so to beat my body and make it my slave? And fight a good fight for a prize that will last? When the heat is turn on and the suffering comes? Will I give in or will I fight on and refuse to quit?