Opening Ceremonies... Heaven?
No pics this time!
If you didn't see the opening ceremony of the Olympics, try to be one of the 4 billion (including those who watch on delayed broadcast) who will do so. The show was spectacular, to say the least, but the entrance of the athletes was what got to me. The small, unheard-of countries and the large, powerful ones; obscure competitors who have no chance to win a medal, and the rich and famous - all there, coming together as one to celebrate and compete with one another. What a wonderful diversity of color and customs! This is advertised as an example of how mankind should get along!. Of course we know that behind the scenes there are protests for human rights violations, political animosity even between ethnic groups represented there, as well as the specter of performance-enhancing drugs.
But as you watch the athletes coming into the stadium under the flag of their country, try to picture heaven, a vast multitude, representatives from all tribes, tongues and nations gathering to celebrate, not sports, but the God of the universe, the eternal Living One, who will reign for ever and ever. You will be there, I presume, but what will you do in the meantime about bringing others along with you?