Olympic perfection was elusive until Nadia vaulted onto the scene. Nadia Comaneci scored the first perfect mark in Olympic gymnastics competition—a 10 at the 1976 Olympic games in Montreal. Endless hours on the balance beam, a strict diet, and countless falls paid off for the Romanian gymnast. Nadia pocketed the gold and achieved "greatness" in the eyes of fans around the world. Have you ever wondered what it takes to register a “ten” with God? The prophet Micah gives us a clue:
With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:6-8 NIV)
What is greatness to God? It is not a Brady Bunch family or a Bill Gates portfolio or a Tiger Woods swing. It is not measured by a panel of Olympic judges or the opinions of your peers. Greatness is not conferred by a professor’s grade or a boss’s performance review. Being great for God doesn’t take a perfect score – that’s why Jesus came (1 Peter 3:18). What matters to God is to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with him. It is telling the truth. It is quiet acts of kindness. It is serving in ways only He sees and giving in ways that only He notices.
You may never collect hardware at an Olympic medal ceremony, but you can stand before God and receive his gold: “Well done my good and faithful servant!” Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
FOCAL POINT: Watch for Olympic news today. When you see it remember what it takes to be great for God.
Copyright © 2010 Tommy Kiedis