“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.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT

The crown Paul speaks of that “will not last” is a crown of celery. Let me explain. This year, the Winter Olympic Games are in Italy. But the original Olympics were held in the same place each time – Olympia, Greece. What most people don’t know is that there were actually four Olympic-style competitions in Greece. Every year there was a competition in at least one of the four places. In the years before and after the Olympic Games, the Isthmian Games were held in Corinth. 

The Apostle Paul makes reference to these games in his first letter to the church in Corinth. He tells them to run for the prize like the athletes in the Isthmian games, and to train and discipline themselves so they can be victorious. Of course, he’s talking about what we do as Christians to develop our “spiritual” muscles. As he tells young Timothy, “Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the future.” (1 Timothy 4:8 GNT)

This brings us back to celery. In the Isthmian Games, the winner did not receive a gold medal or a big endorsement deal. They received a crown of wild celery leaves, and not even fresh ones. Dried celery leaves. Later, they switched over to pine needle crowns, but the point is the same. The athletes put in all that work to win something that lasts as long as an old Christmas wreath.

Training in godliness, training to live like Jesus, takes some work, too. But the rewards are far beyond a crown of produce. The reward is a crown of righteousness and life with Jesus now and forever. Lent is coming soon, and it is a time tailor-made for some spiritual exercise. Let me encourage you to do some training that builds your spiritual muscles this year. And to “press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 NRSVUE)

Have a great week.

Pastor Mark

FYI, Lent begins Wednesday, February 18. The Ash Wednesday Service is at 7:00 pm.