If you watched the recent 2024 Summer Olympics, you may have ended up confused.
On one hand, the Paris Games started on a horrific note—a pagan spoof of the Last Supper. What should have been a celebration of the athletic spirit was instead a deeply disturbing display of gluttony, pansexualism, and blasphemy. Weeks later, the images from that debauched performance are proving difficult to erase from my mind.
On the other hand, the Paris Olympics wove a different story—inspiring perseverance, fierce competition, and, most of all, bold faith. Numerous athletes testified to God’s grace. None were more forthright than gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, American hurdler and sprinter. “I credit all that I do to God,” she said. “He’s given me a gift, he’s given me a drive . . . I have a platform and I want to use it to glorify him.” Many others in France said much the same.
In many ways, the XXXIII Olympiad encapsulated the two poles of today’s Western culture. One reveled in amoral sexuality, spiritual heresy, and do-whatever-you-want living. The other honored God, exuded humility, and followed Jesus. These two alternative worldviews sit side-by-side, entirely opposing one another.
Living amid the evil, magnified in the opening ceremony, is hard. However, on discouraging days, we can take heart in the words of Jesus: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, ESV). This promise is as true today as when Jesus said it. We Christians may feel that we are on the defensive. But God is at work, and we have a crucial role: honoring Him as we navigate the ups and downs of life.
We don’t need to be Olympic Christians to give God glory. As we speak the Word and gospel, Christ builds His church. Our hope is truly invincible. “But take heart,” Jesus proclaimed; “I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV). Soon, the world will see the true victor in all His glory—and He will not don a fading medal. The Lord will wear a crown of glory that no earthly eye has ever seen nor earthly mind has ever imagined.