An Olympic gold medalist is not who I am

The 2018 Winter Olympics begins tonight with all of its pomp and pageantry as a prelude to the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

The incredible skill and speed and agility do not necessarily draw me to these events, but as a writer, by the stories behind these athletes.  Because we are all storytellers by how we live our lives.

Everyone struggles with something.  And so, these are not stories of natural born victors, but those who are overcoming their own sometimes insurmountable difficulties in getting to the Olympics.  These athletes don't just suddenly one day show up for competition.  Like anything in life, it doesn't just happen. It's the sweat and long hard days when no one is looking...or cares.  It's injuries and tears, falling, failing and trying again, sacrificing time and money and life.  As one particular athlete said, "Training four years for a 30 second run."

That particular athlete is Kelly Clark, who started training for snowboarding as a 14 year old, competing in the Olympics at 18.  This is her fifth Olympics this season, a gold medal and two bronze medals already under her belt.



But even with an extraordinary career and success, "I am not defined by it," she says.  What determines her identity are not her competitive victories, but how God began changing her heart as a 20-year-old.  God did not snatch her out of the free-wheeling crazy snowboard culture, but divinely appointed her there.  People ask her constantly, "How can you be a Christian in that culture?"  Because who she is is not based on circumstances, or on winning or losing.  "I am there to change and not be changed by it."

"I want to live a life of consistency that disarms people," Kelly says. "How can I love other people well today?" 

So when you are watching snowboarding, look for Kelly Clark and remember what she says:
                "I get to do what I love 
                              with the One I love." 

Click here for a short video of her story.

Where has God strategically placed you today?  As Kelly says, "When we have a firm grasp of who we are," it's not based on circumstances.  It's all significant.  It all matters.  Because you matter to Him.  There is never a mediocre day.  There is never a dead end job.  It's all for His glory.

Never say, "but I am only a _______."  Because that is not who you are.  That is just what you do.  God wants to use you to love people well, no matter where you are, no matter what.