February 11, 2026

The Olympics. The Super Bowl. The groans I sometimes moan in order to get out of bed would not qualify me as an athlete for either sporting event. But, it is surely exciting to watch highly-conditioned athletes perform to the ultimate of possible human ability from the comfort of my favorite chair!

Imagine the story of Jesus as one event after another: from temptation, to a ministry of teaching, healing, and feeding, to crucifixion, and, finally, to resurrection. The pace of the Savior’s story is fast and unrelenting. Jesus is always doing something. We have turned his life, death, and resurrection into a performance of sorts. (Or, perhaps, that is what it looks like through the lens of history.)

Is our faith performative? Do we pray to be heard? Fast to be seen? Give alms to a fanfare? Which type of “wreath” do we seek? In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, “Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one (1 Cor. 9:25).” So, Paul goes on to say, “I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air.” Yes, our faith serves a purpose – to proclaim the love of God in Christ – and that purpose does not need to cross a finish line. It only needs to be a part of our lived daily lives.

Rev. Eric