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 Eighteen • May 3, 2026
Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 3)
In this final part of the message, “Trusting God with Tomorrow,” we are brought face to face with a powerful truth from Scripture—while we often plan our days and assume the future, the Bible teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain, and completely in God’s hands. As James reminds us, our life is “even a vapour” that appears for a little time and then vanishes away . The issue is not planning, but planning without God—living as though we are in control of what only God knows.
This message walks through the heart of biblical trust: having a proper perspective of tomorrow, a humble posture before God today, and a surrendered plan that says, “If the Lord will.” Whether facing uncertainty, fear, or the illusion of control, we are called to draw near to God, rest in His care, and trust that His will is good, even when tomorrow is unknown. Because Christ has risen, our future is secure—not in our plans, but in His perfect hands.
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