By Tim Ashford    

I recently listened to a biographical sketch on John Bunyan.  I’m was reading The Pilgrim’s Progress, so it was fitting to hear about the life of the man who wrote it.  The Pilgrim’s Progress is not all that Bunyan wrote, though.  I learned from the bio that he wrote a lot of things.  Many of his writings were penned during times of severe trial and persecution.  During the message I was listening to, a quote from another of Bunyan’s works stuck out to me.  It continues to affect me as I think about it.  He wrote on the cost of Christian discipleship:

“Following of me [Christ] is not like following of some other masters.  The wind sits always on my face and the foaming rage of the sea of this world, and the proud and lofty waves thereof do continually beat upon the sides of the bark or ship that myself, my cause, and my followers are in; he therefore that will not run hazards, and that is afraid to venture a drowning, let him not set foot into this vessel.”

In America, living for Christ is often times less than life threatening.  Bunyan’s life and testimony, though, is a glass of cold water splashed on my face in the land of ease.  He reminds me that those who follow Christ must lean hard on Him for the grace to be courageous.  The Master I follow is a stench in the nostrils of a world that functions on principles and practices that evoke His wrath.  Following Him will inevitably bring ridicule from those who oppose Him.  As a disciple of Christ I am not called to complacency but to courageously stand up and be counted for Him.  

At the outset this idea may appeal to us as men.  There’s something about standing up for what you believe that inspires us.  It’s honorable.  Brave.  Loyal.  But if the truth be told I think we all have our fair share of Peter Moments - “I do not know the man” (Matthew 26:74).  When’s the last time you thought better speaking up about Christ because the people around didn’t seem to be open to it?  Personally, I don’t have to think long. 

Bunyan’s description of discipleship reminds me that cowardliness is sin for the disciple.  Those who are ashamed of Him have no part with Him (Matthew 8:38).  But what grace is available for those humbly trust Him for courage.  Thankfully Matthew’s account of Peter’s denial is not the last we hear of Peter.  Filled with the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts, Peter boldly testifies of Christ to his fellow Jews (Acts 2:14 – 36).     

I can’t avoid feeling the wind on my face nor can I fear it when it blows.  It’s simply part of following Christ in a world that opposes Him.  I may not be called upon to suffer like Bunyan or to preach to the masses like Peter, but this I pray: God give me grace to courageously live for Christ.  Not man-centered, prideful, worldly courage but Spirit-filled, Christ-centered, God-glorifying courage.  I need it to be a true disciple.   

By Tim Ashford

“Phelps Becomes Most Successful Olympian Ever.” “Phelps Makes Biggest Splash at Games.” Are you tired of all the headlines about Michael Phelps? Just before his fourth gold medal race August 13th, one of his buddies sent him a text message that razzed, “Dude, it’s ridiculous how many times a day I have to see your ugly face.” The friend went on, “It’s time to be the best ever.” Phelps is doing his best ever at the Olympics. Meanwhile back on earth, we’re determined in our family to make this the best ever Olympics as well. We have next to no athletic talent, and most of us know very little about sports, but that hasn’t stopped us from grabbing gold. Here’s how.

A few different times, we’ve started our family devotions around the computer. At nbcolympics.com you can easily find video recaps of all the major events. The event doesn’t matter so much; we’ve been using the swimming events which are short and exciting. The real value is when we apply what we learned. The take home points seem to come in two categories: One, how is our Christian life like being a top athlete? And two, how are we different? In either case, we’ve been starting out with I Corinthians 9:24 – 27. In this passage, Paul both compares and contrasts.

Here are some ways we’ve realized Christians are similar to Olympic athletes:

• Like Michael Phelps and other Olympic athletes, we are striving for a prize. As my daughter said in prayer this morning, ours is the prize of eternal life with God.

• Like an athlete, we need to orient our lives toward our goal. An Olympian asks himself, “Will this activity help me win, or hurt me?” And we ask ourselves, does this choice of something to do with my time help me get stronger in God?

• Like top athletes, we are not aimless. We laughed when we thought of what it would be like if Michael Phelps went exploring the bottom of the pool while everyone else swam to the finish line. We will stumble, but through grace in Christ, we are always trying to head forward in the upward call of God in Christ.

• Like a top competitor, we need self control in everything.

• Some events can only be won as a team, like the historic men’s 4X100 relay. For us, winning heaven is a team event!

Now here’s how we’re different:

• The glory of getting medals at the podium will fade for Olympians, but for us, the rewards are forever.

• Unlike divers and gymnasts, we can never hope for a perfect dive or routine. But Christ finished his earthly life perfectly, and He credits his perfect score to us.

• For the best Olympians, the goal is to become greater and greater. For us, the goal is to decrease so that we can enjoy watching Christ increase, until his glory fills the whole earth.

Lord, help us long for the closing ceremonies in heaven, that will blow away all the millions spent in Beijing, and leave every knee bowed, and every heart in awe of You!