Chasing the Gold That Lasts
By Pastor Jerry A. Burns
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.
Examine your spiritual training. Are you preparing daily through prayer, Scripture, and obedience? Are you running with focus, or drifting casually? Identify one area where you need greater discipline and begin today. Remember: the Christian life is not about momentary applause but eternal reward. Run to win—not for man’s praise, but for God’s glory.
"And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen." — Psalm 72:19
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This Week's Radio Program
Week Forty-Four • November 1, 2026
What are you Seeking?
In this week’s message titled "What are you Seeking?" from Kitchener Baptist Church, Pastor Jerry A. Burns explores John 20 to show how the world searches for meaning in the wrong places. Listeners will hear how Solomon looked for purpose in worldly success and pleasures only to find vanity, and how Mary Magdalene sought her Savior at the tomb, weeping for the dead before discovering He had risen.
Pastor Burns reminds us that true life is found only in Jesus Christ. The reality of Christ gives us life, and His resurrection is the key to our salvation and eternal life. We must choose life, for Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Join us on "Timeless Truths" as we turn to God's Word for these vital answers.
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