Photo by: akiwitz

Some call it superstition. Others talk with familiarity about the sports gods who lift up underdogs and bring down the mighty.

As the 2012 London Summer Olympic games begin, coaches, teammates, and fans all over the world will be trying not to jinx their national athletes.

Everyone seems to sense that, for reasons beyond ourselves,  pride comes before a fall.

So how much of stretch is it to take the occasion to wonder if  mere games could have anything to do with Jesus saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit”? Paul urged his readers not to nurse exaggerated opinions of themselves. Peter said,  “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble,” and James echoed a related thought when he wrote, “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.”

Together these familiar life coaches did more than relay the wisdom of Solomon who counseled the wise to not be caught praising themselves. They were being true to Moses who gives us reason to remember that we are the children of parents who would still be mud if not for the hands and breath of God.

None of us will be able to speak with much insight and authority about whether the God of Creation will or will not be dealing the cards that determine the makes and breaks of the games that will follow. But who can deny that the superstitions of the athletes could be a timely reminder that–in the most important choices and thoughts of our lives, God does resist the proud, and give grace to… those who know their place before him…

Vote on whether you think this post is something you'll be thinking about:

(+29 rating, 30 votes)

Loading...