Pastor's Note
WISE GUY
PermalinkSpeaking on Hebrews 4 recently, I spent some time trying to think
of someone who captured the idea of enjoying God’s rest here & now. I was thinking of some older saints I
know & admire, but my favorite example turned out to be a 23-year-old guy
who won an Olympic Gold Medal in Freestyle Skiing Halfpipe at Sochi. His name is David Wise. NBC published an article about him,
& the headline caught my attention:
“David Wise’s Alternative Lifestyle Leads to Olympic Gold.” That “alternative lifestyle”? He’s 23. He’s married.
He has a 2-year-old daughter.
He goes to church regularly.
He thinks one day he may become a pastor. Rather than take offense at the headline, I think David Wise
should wear it as a badge of honor.
The Christian life is not the norm. Certainly not in the ranks of snowboarders &
freestylers. He has chosen the
path less traveled. And listen to
his words: “When you’re out there
skiing for something bigger than just yourself, it just takes a lot of the
pressure off for me. I’m happy
& content, fulfilled. I have
an amazing life outside of skiing.
I don’t have to perform at any time, I just get to go out and do what I
enjoy doing.” He has entered into
“God’s rest”! Who would not want
to say the same thing? Maybe the
headline writer was trying to be a little snarky. The article had nothing but praise and respect for this
young man. May his tribe increase.