My Olympic Gold

I remember the day I was given my Olympic gold medal.  (Who wouldn’t, right?)  As long as I can remember, I have really loved the Olympic spirit. Something about the competition, and the discipline and diligence to train for an event just makes me stand in awe, not to mention the trials and patients required to win any sport.

Depending on how long you have known me, you might actually think that I have an Olympic medal.  While it is true that I do in fact have a gold medal from a World Series (2002), my Olympic gold medal, which came from saying yes to the biggest challenge of my life, is actually my blueish gray missionary name tag. 

While I hold one of the most sacred positions in the United Methodist Church, this job requires an enormous amount of humility.  My gold medal isn’t for the betterment of my sport, and didn’t come from endless hours of training.  It is not just for people who look and think like me, or have the privilege to practice a sport.  My gold medal shows that I am a servant of the Lord and that I seek to better the world for Christ.  Doing Christ’s work is my goal. 

After a full day of travel, I finally arrived at missionary training, 475 Riverside Drive.  I arrived later than everyone in my class, but when Hannah handed me my Global Ministries name tag, I felt like I had just won an Olympic gold medal.  And as for many first time medalists, this is only the beginning.