January 7, 2018 Psalm 39:5c-6 - - Athletes: what happens when the cheering stops

Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.

Selah

Surely every man walks about like a shadow;

Surely they busy themselves in vain;

He heaps up riches,

And does not know who will gather them.

Psalm 39:5c-6 NKJV

[Selah means: pause. reflect. re-read. reflect]

Recently I have had a chance to watch some episodes of shows like "Beastmaster" and "American Warrior Ninja". Very young, strong, fit athletes compete against one another to go through various obstacles which test their endurance, hand-strength, agility and so on. Every single one of them considers second-place the biggest loser.

These athletes are parkour experts, fitness trainers, extreme rock-climbers, jiu jitsu experts and so on. They are in peak condition. It is awesome to see their feats of prowess. And it is poignant.

In recent episodes athletes were interviewed as to their motivation. Some were doing this to impress their fathers, who were never satisfied with their performances. Others worked out to the limits of endurance in respect or honour of a dead loved one. What haunted me is how many of these young athletes succeeded so well and then after the cheering of the crowd and fist pumping, flag-draped victories were so hungry for the next high, the next win, or the next moment which would validate them. They are busying themselves in vain. They don't even know what to do with the accolades they have heaped up. They cannot in any meaningful way present a medal to the dead.

In this Psalm David is confessing the emptiness of life; but then he explains the key. A life that has no eternal focus and no vision beyond what this life can bring is ultimately meaningless. Fitness fades.Trophies are so yesterday. One man looked directly at the camera and said, "No one cares what you did last year or last week, they want to know what you can do today, right now."

Athletes constantly must fight off the newest young, rising star and the next sensation. Fitness fanatics are constantly battling the relentless effects of age. The only thing in this universe which can turn everything around from meaninglessness is: hope. Only the Lord can give us hope that reaches beyond this life.

It is the start of the year. Get to church. Speak with a friend whose Christian faith you admire. Explore what is beyond the limits of this world and life's endless busying in vain. When the Bible is opened and you meet up with God, you will find that elusive prize your heart is longing for.

God, You alone, are all hope and meaning. God my Father, when I am head-down, hard-running fast away from You, the Bible shows me it is You Who places various obstacles in my path so that in anguish and bewilderment I will have no choice except to throw my eyes and hands up to heaven and find hope in You. Though beauty melts, though fitness is one fracture away from failing, though my life is vapor which is disappearing with the rising heat of the sun, You know the length of my days and You draw my attention to Your glorious Presence. Blessed be Your Name! I pray for those who are relentlessly chasing approval they can never gain; I pray for those who realize they are frail but have no shelter or resting place for their tormented psyche. Today, draw them to Yourself in love. Today let me welcome into church whomever You have drawn in by Your Spirit so that together we will find our reason for hope in Jesus. You, Lord Jesus Christ, are an epiphany to weary souls. Amen!