Armodoxy for Today: Olympic Prize

The Olympics are back! Athletes from throughout the world are competing for the gold and silver. Every four years this tradition brings together countries under the umbrella of sportsmanship. The best of the best gather on the world stage and the planet watches.

Years of training and discipline are over in a few minutes. If they are successful they are remembered for a few days, perhaps week or months, until someone does better or sets a new record. And if they are not successful, then they are already forgotten.

There is a healthy atmosphere of competition displayed at the Olympics. However, competition is a double-edged sword because it may be necessary to win the games but it can lead to obsession which stands in the way of the true prize.

The gold and silver are the prizes we seek. The author of Proverbs writes, Take my instruction instead of silver and knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than jewels and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. (8:10)

The true prize that we may be sure of is the prize that never loses value and it is a prize for which we never have to compete. It is God’s love. His love is guaranteed. It never gets old. It cannot be taken away from you. It is the last of the old-fashion freebees of life.

Armodoxy is the proof, the faith of a people, who relied on this awesome power against all the odds, a certainty of God’s love which is unfailing. It is the assurance of resurrection against the odds of crucifixion.

In the spirit of competition that is displayed at the Olympic games, understand that the true prize is God’s love. And then…, ask yourself, does God have to compete for my love? That’s tomorrow.

We pray today from the Armenian Church’s Book of Hours, “You are blessed Almighty Lord, for always accompanying those who call to You with faithful and righteous hearts. We ask You, to lead and guide Your servants on this journey so that we may be grow together with our loved ones in peace. Amen.