The Clark Kent of US Gymnastics

There’s been a lot of controversy around the Olympics this year.  Not to say they are not without warrant.  But there have been some amazing stories that have come out as well. A guy placed second  in a shooting competition without using the standard equipment normally donned in this event.  Another is the US rugby sevens team in the final seconds of their match running full field to score and secure their first medal in that event ever. Also Kate Ledecky wins a swimming race and there is not another person in the frame of the picture capturing her win (see below). She won by almost 20 seconds! Truly some amazing things are happening in Paris this year. And I want to talk about another incredible event that happened. It was in US men's gymnastics.

The US men’s gymnastics won bronze.  They medaled for the first time in sixteen years.  It was definitely a team effort but one guy stands out amongst them, Stephen Nedoroscik.  First because he kinda acts like Clark Kent/Superman with his glasses and when it's time to save the day he ditches the glasses and hits the pommel horse. But second, because he is not the normal gym type.  It was a bit of an unorthodox and controversial decision to bring him because he only performs in one event.  He is a bit of a specialist.  Normally a team would bring members who perform at high levels in various events. But not the case for US men's this time.  And it paid off.  Because of his performance on the pommel horse the US received a bronze medal.  He secured the highest performance score out of all the competitors on the men’s US team to allow them to stand on the podium in Paris this year.  He doesn’t do much in the sport but what he does he excels.

I think this is awesome and is what is needed in our lives as christians.  Often we look at others and see how good they are in all these different areas and at all these different things.  We fail to remember or even discount the thing that God has called us to do.  We think it's unimportant or less glorious than others. But this isn’t so.  Paul writes to the church in Corinth about these things saying every piece is important (1 Cor 12:12-27).  He writes to the church in Ephesus that we all are given a portion of grace and that we should use it to edify the body of Christ (Eph 4:7).  We ought to know and love our role God has endowed and trusted us with.  It's a privilege to be a part of such a great family! And when we are called on to serve in our skill, talent, or purpose, we should excel.  We should be the best at it because we are doing it for the glory of the Lord and the edification of his body.  

The question I want to pose then is, do you know what it is God has called for you to do? Do you know what gift he has given you?  If not, ask the Lord to reveal it.  When you know it, hone it.  If you already know what that is, perfect it.  So when it comes time for you to use it you will be ready.  Because he is calling on you.