Photo provided by David Ritter

I was reading an article on the expectations for some of the 2012 summer Olympic athletes.  During my read, I could not help but ponder the dedication, commitment, and determination each of these athletes possess.  I realize that athletes, at this level, must be blessed with a special talent to be considered the representative of their country.

I also realize that in addition to this God given talent, they must endure the physical set backs, they must overcome the mental blocks and they need to be disciplined in their diet.  Not to mention even if they do and possess all of these attributes and gifts, they still need to be  born during the right time so they can be at an age that allows them to be at their physical peak when the Olympics roll around every four years.

There are a lot of factors that need to come into play in order for one person to rise above all the other top athletes of the world and win the gold.  As I reflect on this, I realize how fortunate we are to receive the gift of salvation because of God’s love.  If only one of us could win the gold and go to heaven…well lets just say it would not be me.  I’m just hoping to one day get the paper ribbon that reads, “Well Done”.