Monday, July 30, 2001
Monday, July 30, 2001
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Al Oerter's strength went beyond being able to hurl the discus. He had a strength of purpose,
desire, determination. I admire those of you who work out on a regular basis to keep your bodies
in excellent condition, but you and I both know that physical strength is not what is most
important. It is our spiritual strength and connection to Jesus Christ!
(Romans 21:1
NRSV)
In 1964, Al Oerter from the U.S. won a gold medal and set a new Olympic record in the discus
throw. Al accomplished all this while suffering from ripped cartilage in his rib cage. A few days
before the Olympics opened, Al had injured himself in practice. Doctors warned him not to
compete. They told him that the pain would be too much to bear. But he forced himself to
compete anyway, and at his highest level. In an interview after his winning throw, Al told
reporters, "Don't make me a hero. I wanted to win so I gutted it out."
Dear Jesus, strengthen by spiritually today as I walk in your footsteps. Amen.
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