My husband and I attended a women’s ice hockey game during the Winter Olympics in Milan, watching Italy take on France. The energy from the crowd pulsed through the arena as cheers rang out. A group beside us jumped to their feet when their daughter scored Italy’s first goal. We didn’t care who won. My husband and I came to experience the moment, and it did not disappoint.
We sat surrounded by flags, voices rising and falling with every play. The arena felt alive, not just with competition but with anticipation. Every shift on the ice carried purpose. Every player seemed to know exactly where she needed to be, even when the puck was nowhere near her.
The Olympic Games
I watched more than the game. I watched the faces of the athletes as they waited on the bench, focused and steady, eyes fixed on the ice. And I watched coaches leaning forward, speaking quietly but urgently. I watched families in the stands, holding their breath through every near miss and celebrating every small victory as if it were the final goal.
When Italy scored, the crowd erupted. The parents next to us stood with tears in their eyes, hugging strangers who had become friends for the moment. I realized we were witnessing more than a goal. We were seeing the result of years of work that most of us would never witness. Early mornings followed by exhausting practices. Injuries filling their minds with doubt. Perseverance happens far away from cameras and applause.
As the cheers echoed through the arena, I wondered how many quiet moments had led to this one loud celebration.
As I sat there, I couldn’t stop thinking about the years of preparation behind every shift on the ice. Moments like this don’t happen overnight. We build them through discipline and quiet perseverance.
That realization made me think about Lent, a quieter kind of training where God prepares our hearts for a different race.
The Olympic medals are visible to everyone, but the discipline goes unseen by the world. Lent invites us into the quiet, behind-the-scenes work Christ does in us.
The Training No One Sees
Olympic success isn’t one moment. It is thousands of small choices repeated. Victory grows out of ordinary days of discipline that keep athletes moving toward the goal.
Lent works the same way. These forty days invite us into daily practices that shape us through prayer, Scripture, small sacrifices, and steady faithfulness in ordinary moments.
Lent is less about giving things up and more about training our hearts.
The Training Process
Athletes can spend years preparing for that one big event. Sometimes they wait years for one chance to compete at events like the Olympics. This is the unglamorous part of the work. Most people never see the early mornings or setbacks. They see only the results.
Lent reminds us that waiting is not wasted. It is where God builds what we cannot yet see. God works in our preparations. Even when the world doesn’t see the effort, He does. We build our strength during the waiting season.
How might God be shaping you in this training season?
Running the Race That Matters
Not every race ends with a podium. But every step taken in faith matters. As we watched the Olympics, we celebrated each medal won by our team. Not every athlete won. And as I watched the athletes celebrate, it reminded me that God measures success differently. I thought about the prayers and dreams I’ve carried for years, waiting for God’s timing. God celebrates my faithfulness in the waiting, even when no one else sees the effort. Even though the world won’t see our rewards, there is one waiting for us when we reach the heavenly shores.
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 (NIV).
Prayer
Dearest Heavenly Father,
Please help me train and prepare for the race you laid out for me before the world began. Let me endure the tough roads with grace and determination. Lead me on the path that leads to eternal life with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Enjoyed this post?
💌 Get weekly encouragement in your inbox
📚 Explore my books
🙏 Send a prayer request
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Additional Resources:
Reading and studying the word of God helps us run the race and fight the temptations of the evil one. We can learn a lot from the Olympians and their training and dedication. 🙂
Amen Melissa. I pray we can train our faith muscles as much as we train our bodies. Blessings my friend ❤️
Thanks for your encouraging words! Many blessings on you and your writing journey!
Thanks so much Sarah. Blessings to you
What a wonderful experience, Yvonne, I’d love to have been there, too! Your message resonates with me in other ways as well. The reminder that God is working with us in our training, behind the scenes, accomplishing what we may not yet be aware of, is something I needed to hear. Thank you
Thanks Katherine. It was a wonderful experience and it renewed my belief that I need to keep preparing my faith muscles. Blessings
Yvonne, excellent writing and analogy. I love how much you and your husband travel overseas. And what an honor to go to an Olympic event. Yes, I want to run my spiritual race with godly training and excellence. Keeping my eyes on the prize—Jesus! God bless!
Thank you Karen. We are blessed for being able to travel. And I plan to keep up my spiritual training too. God bless.
So good! I love what you said, that “Lent reminds us that waiting is not wasted.” I started observing Lent about 15 years ago and it’s been a really helpful practice. Sometimes I give things up and sometimes I take new practices on, but it always reminds me that our Christian journey really does require training and preparation.
It really does take work to keep our faith strong. And Lent is a great time to exercise those faith muscles. Thanks Jessica. Blessings
I enjoyed this post, Yvonne. And how great is must’ve been for you and your husband to watch some of the Winter Olympic events. We watched the USA women’s hockey team from home and we were thoroughly impressed with them. Coincidentally, I am writing my last resolution which covers Acts 20:24. The race we run is mostly not witnessed as it is built by so many daily actions, decisions, and sacrifices. Continually learning. Continuing growing.
Wow, can’t wait to read your take on Acts 20:24. It’s amazing how much work that happens away from watching eyes. Thankful God sees all we do. Blessings Stephen.
Wonderful analogy. I’ve been enjoying streaming my home church’s sermons on lent. He’s going through the temptations of Christ and teaching us the Spiritual disciplines Jesus used. Have really enjoyed and hope I’m practicing them more.
Thanks Debbie. Lent is a wonderful way to prepare our hearts and deepen our faith. Blessings to you
What a thrill to attend and watch the Olympics in person! Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights. I loved these lines: “Olympic success isn’t one moment. It is thousands of small choices repeated. Victory grows out of ordinary days of discipline that keep athletes moving toward the goal.” Thousands of small choices repeated. May we repeat our devotion for Jesus one little choice at a time to bring Him the gold.
Amen Melissa. We just need to walking the path Christ laid out for us, one step at a time. Blessings.
How awesome to see the Olympics in person! I love this post filled with God’s truths.
It was an amazing experience. Thanks Candyce and blessings.