Skate On

Well, I was going to get to bed early last night. That was, at least, the plan. And then before I made it out of the living room I heard the announcer introduce the next young woman to skate, and I suddenly found myself back on the couch. If you watched the Olympics last night, you probably know what I'm about to say. A Canadian skater by the name of Joannie Rochette took to the ice less then 48 hours after her mom's unexpected and sudden death.

My heart was breaking for her every moment that she was on that ice. I cannot begin to imagine how bittersweet it must have been to perform at the Olympics knowing that her mom was not there to see it. The miracle in it all was the Joannie Rochette skated her heart out and earned the highest score she's ever received for that program. I don't know how she did it, but I was amazed.

I found myself wondering if she's a Christian. If she was able to skate on because the strength, hope, comfort and peace that exceeds all earthly possibility was within her through Christ. I don't know, maybe not. Maybe she found the power through some other means, but in any case, it was beautiful and miraculous.

And it made me think of the Christian journey. You know, we will all face trials in our lives. It doesn't matter who we are, where we're from, or how we've lived up to this point. We live in a fallen world and so we will all have to deal with difficulty and tragedy.

The difference between us and those who do not have Jesus is this: we have the same power that raised Christ from the dead at work within us, giving us the strength and grace to go on. It doesn't make the difficulties any less difficult; it makes the journey afterwards worth living. It takes our weaknesses and makes them strengths; turns our mourning into rejoicing; fills our empty hearts and lives with meaning, purpose, and faith.

I am praying for Joannie today. Begging for her sake that she knows Jesus and can lean on Him over the coming days and weeks. No matter what happens at these Olympics she will be going home to a life forever changed. She will need something more to see her through. . . Oh, how I pray that it is Jesus!

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome
the world. -Jesus, John 16:33