TURIN, February 23, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - After winning gold and silver medals at the Turin Olympics, Canadian long-track speed skater, Cindy Klassen says she owes everything to God.
"I've won a medal," she told reporters, "but that's nothing compared to the crown I'll get in Heaven. I see a lot of people in sports who think when they reach a certain level they've got it made, but really, you can only find happiness in the Lord."
Klassen says, "I want to use the publicity I've gotten through my success for His glory. I go back to my old high school and talk to the students. I . . . let people know I'm a Christian."
Outside her sporting endeavours, Cindy loves classic literature, good music, great art, and travel, but they all take a back seat to her faith in Christ. When she failed to make the Canadian Olympic team on her first try in 1998, she left her future in the hands of God.
"This was his plan all along. I learned by getting cut." As a believer in Jesus Christ, she adds, "even when you want things . . . if it's not in God's will, it's not going to happen. I've learned to go along with that.
"Right now in speed skating I'm having the time of my life, but I have to be ready to move on if He wants me to do something else."
photo courtesy sports.yahoo.com & story courtesy lifesite.news.com, 02/22/06
24But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.
WHAT DOES TODAY'S SCRIPTURE TELL YOU ABOUT PAUL'S PASSION?
The athletes who did well in the 2006 Olympics will be paid big bucks to be a product spokesperson! They endorse a certain brand and receive lots of benefits in return (even if they aren't really passionate about the product)! Nike and other major companies keep doing this because it works! People are drawn to their products through the word of mega-stars!
Cindy Klassen will get plently of earthly reward for her Olympic awards as she gets paid to endorse products. But don't you love her heart? Cindy knows it's all about Christ, not about her success. She is passionate about living for Jesus and telling others about Him!
In today's verse, Paul speaks of his passion - to tell others about Jesus! In the NIV translation, it says, "...I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying..."
Paul was a superstar missionary who was an incredible spokesperson for Christ! But you don't have to be an apostle, a missionary, or an Olympic champion to be Christ's spokesperson. You can endorse the gospel by telling one person about all the benefits of knowing Jesus as Savior.
Jesus is looking for more spokespersons like Paul and Cindy. Are you willing?
Thank God for the incredible benefits of knowing Jesus as your Savior! Ask Him to give you the courage to be a spokesperson for the Gospel of Christ. Ask His Spirit to show you who to talk to about Jesus.
- Pray about the person God wants you to talk to about Jesus. Do this every day until God gives you opportunities to learn his/her story and tell your story and connect it to God's story.
- This next week, pray for the person you want to talk to about Jesus every time you see a superstar endorsing a product on TV.
- Go to the home page of yfc.org and learn more about 3Story evangelism.
Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.