Now that the Olympics are over

The Olympics are now over.  Just 18 months until the next Olympics, and soon the hype, er, preparation will begin for the Vancouver winter games.

As the games have progressed, a few random thoughts went rolling through my brain at various times.  And I either write them down now, or will for 1-1/2 years hold my peace.  Here goes.

• I watched more gymnastics than I planned on watching.  I admit it.  I don’t care for gymnastics (though I do recognize the impressive athletic ability).  I don’t care for uniforms that have too little fabric (for the women, at least), and I am prone to get more than a little uptight over scoring that seems random and inconsistent.  On the latter thought, it makes me long all the more for the full implementation of the righteousness of God at the end of the age.  One day, every injustice will be set right.  That statement isn’t primarily about athletic injustices, but about life injustices and unrighteousness.  Those who cheated, lied, manipulated, and stole — all in an effort to serve the idol of self — will bow and worship the King of kings and their sin will be forever condemned.
• I enjoy sports — primarily football, baseball, an occasional hockey game, and the big events (e.g., golf’s grand slam events – especially if Tiger is in the hunt, New Year’s Day football, and the Olympics).  If I’m going to watch too much TV, it will inevitably be because of a sporting event.  And I admit it.  I watched too much Olympics for the good of my own soul.  The problem was not so much what I watched, but what it kept me from doing.  And primarily it kept me from reading and stimulating my soul’s own hunger for God.  [I make no comment on others’ viewing habits; but for me, the amount I watched distracted me from the best habits for my spiritual heart.]
• Virtually every man I know (I’d say every, but I want to keep open the possibility that I’m overlooking someone, and don’t want to be guilty of overstatement) wrestles with thinking righteously when viewing a woman with too few clothes on her body.  I suppose the swimming and diving events were a dead heat (very little was left to the imagination regarding either sex in those competitions), but why do male gymnasts and beach volleyball players and track and field participants all wear more clothes than the women?  The answer is obvious.  The athletic competition is not just about the athletic competition; it’s about selling sexuality.  And on more than one occasion, my wife had graciously turned the channel away from the Olympics before I even arrived in the room to help me protect my heart.  I will not at this point venture into the usual condemnation of television and sexist producers and the vacuum of God-exalting entertainment and the moral sinkhole of our culture.  Of course those things exist.  We must expect it since all those things are under the rulership of the Prince of Darkness.  I was just reminded again that the state of my heart in contingent on my making wise, Christ-honoring decisions every day.  And I must remain ever vigilant, looking out for seemingly innocent activities that may give the appearance of being amoral, but are in reality dangers to my soul.