There’s something inspiring about the Winter Olympics. Athletes train for years—early mornings, strict diets, relentless repetition—for a race that may last less than a minute. A speed skater leans into the curve with precision. A skier launches down a mountain at breathtaking speed. A hockey team sacrifices personal glory for the good of the team. What we see on the podium is only a fraction of what happened in private.

Paul used athletic competition as a picture of the Christian life. He wasn’t encouraging competition with one another, but commitment within ourselves. Olympic athletes discipline their bodies, control their appetites, and endure discomfort for a temporary medal. How much more should we discipline ourselves for an eternal reward?

What stands out to me most about the Winter Olympics is the focus. One slip on the ice can cost everything. One missed gate on the slope ends the run. The margins are small. The same is true spiritually. Small compromises, neglected prayer, inconsistent obedience—these things may seem minor, but over time they affect our race. The Christian life is not casual participation; it is intentional pursuit.

And yet, unlike the Olympics, in Christ we are not racing against each other. We are running with endurance the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1), looking unto Jesus. Our goal is not a gold medal that fades, but faithfulness that lasts.