The Olympian & the Christian – 4 things in common

The 2026 winter Olympics are now underway. It is impressive to watch the athletes compete in everything from skiing and snowboarding to speed skating and hockey. Interestingly, the Scriptures frequently make the comparison of Christian living to athletic competition.  So, with that in mind, here are 4 things that the Olympian and the Christian have in common:

A future goal which provides motivation for the present

All Olympic athletes are competing to win a medal. Years before the Olympic games, an athlete will train long hours. Why? In the hopes of winning a medal in the future. Similarly, as believers, we are to keep in view the future goal of standing before Christ. Here’s what the apostle Paul writes about this:

Philippians 3:13-14 – Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Like athletes who visualize their prize, we are to be similarly motivated by the ‘heavenward’ goal of being with Christ in paradise. Not only does the Bible speak of the reward of heaven, it also speaks of heavenly rewards. 1 Corinthians 9:24 says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” Many scholars understand the ‘prize’ mentioned here to be a reference to heavenly rewards, not merely the reward of heaven. While we are saved by grace and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), we will be rewarded for good works.  That future goal provides motivation for the present, in terms of how we live.

Discipline & training is necessary for growth & maturity

Every Olympian needs to train their body for hours each day to compete at the highest levels. As the old saying goes, “No pain, no gain.” It is the discipline of training that brings growth and maturity in their sport. In a similar way, for the Christian, there can be no growth and maturity, without the spiritual disciplines. 1 Corinthians 9:25 says, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” The English word ‘competes’ is a translation of the Greek word ‘agonizomai’ from which we get the English word agonize. Most of us are not able to grasp the hours of agony that goes into athletic conditioning. The amount of discipline that is required to train one’s body to compete at high levels of athletic competition is staggering. Many athletes train 5-7 hours per day.

If an athlete goes through such “strict training” to get a crown that will not last, how much more should we as believers practice certain disciplines in order to obtain a crown that will last forever. What are some examples of strict training when it comes to the spiritual life?

• The discipline of prayer (Matthew 6:5-6)
• The discipline of reading and meditating on Scripture (Psalm 1:1-2)
• The discipline of fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)
• The discipline of giving (Matthew 6:2-4)
• The discipline of confession and repentance (Proverbs 28:13)
• The discipline of worship and fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25)
• The discipline of holiness (1 Timothy 6:6)

As we practice the spiritual disciplines, we grow in maturity. No wonder it says in 1 Timothy 4:8, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Team work isn’t optional; it’s crucial

Every Olympian is part of a bigger team, representing their country. They are watched, cheered, and encouraged by their athletic teammates. In addition, they have families, friends, coaches and trainers and a network of people supporting them, without which they would not succeed. As the old saying goes, “team work makes the dream work.” It is special to witness the athletes sharing the highs (and lows) with these individuals before and after a competition.  It is a reminder to us that the Christian life is not a solo endeavor, it’s a community pursuit. Just because our relationship with Christ is personal, that doesn’t mean it’s private. We are meant to live it out in a community of faith, the church, with others who are on the same team; team Jesus! That’s why it says in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Fellowship isn’t optional; it’s crucial to keeping us on track spiritually, and providing the encouragement we need along the way.  Your commitment to the local church encourages others, and it will encourage you!

The journey requires Perseverance through hardships

Olympians persevere through discomfort, fatigue, failure, and pain, because they want to win a medal.  Similarly, we are invited to persevere spiritually, in the words of Hebrews 12:1-2, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Jesus is portrayed as the greatest athlete, who kept his eye on the prize of obtaining salvation for us, through his sacrifice on the cross.  He persevered to the end and finished everything he came to do on our behalf. His perseverance is the ultimate example for us, of how “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). 

This doesn’t mean it all depends on us. The only way you and I can persevere is because it “is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).