Position
The Milano Cortina 2026 winter Olympics have come to an end after two weeks in north east Italy.
Thousands of athletes, from across the world, came together for 16 different events in the snow and ice.
Many events involved people hurling themselves down snowy mountainsides or icy tracks! The athletes had trained for years in advance to compete at these prestigious games, with one aim: to be first, the winner and get the gold medal.
Unless you are a keen follower of the sport, it’s unlikely that you would know of the hours of disciplined training that went on before they appeared at the Olympics.
I wonder how the athletes feel if they don’t end up on the winners podium after putting in so much work?
Being first, or the best, is a powerful motivating force which can really drive people to push themselves.
When Jesus was alive he spoke about the issue of wanting to be first, he said…
“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
This statement came after Jesus heard that his Disciples had been arguing about which of themselves was the greatest.
Jesus turned this on its head, saying that in God’s eyes the one who chooses to put others first is ‘greater’. This was radical teaching, and I suggest is still so today!
This shows me that God’s ways are in sharp contrast to the many things that this world prioritises. To willingly be the ‘servant of all’ is not easy as it goes against so much in today’s world.
If you and I choose to operate in this way, by God’s grace and power, we will not only please Him but visibly demonstrate another, better, way.
This is God’s Kingdom here on earth, as it is in heaven.
God bless you:)
Gary Bastin
Hope Community Church leader