What sport reveals about your desperate need

Last month, one of my grandchildren participated in an end-of-term preschool egg and spoon race. I observed three types of competitors among the four-year-olds:

1. The child who ran as fast as possible, not caring about keeping the egg on the spoon and dropping the egg multiple times.
2. The diligent, rule-abiding child who walked quickly while ensuring the egg stayed on the spoon.
3. The risk-taker who sprinted while quietly holding the spoon in a way that allowed them to rest a thumb on the egg.

If you're wondering, 'thumb girl' won the race. There was no VAR.

The most touching part of the event was what happened at the end of the race. Regardless of the outcome, once the pupils had crossed the finishing line, every child immediately looked to the watching crowd of adults in search of the approving gaze of their parents or guardians. It was heartwarming to see that every child sought affirmation from someone who loved them unconditionally, irrespective of their performance in the race.

If you're watching the Paris Olympics, you'll notice a similar dynamic. As soon as the result is announced, athletes scan the area in the stadium set apart for competitors' families and friends, seeking to lock eyes with someone who loves them, whether the athlete has won or lost.

A universal need

This universal need for unconditional love is evident even in the most hardened and experienced elite athlete. Unconditional love is a fundamental emotional need for all humans. Everyone requires love— love guaranteed regardless of success or failure, freely given and not based on personal achievements. This love is especially crucial when we experience failure in sports and life.

At the core of the Christian faith is the understanding that God, who created the universe and everything in it, is the definitive source of unconditional love. The Apostle Paul captures this sentiment when addressing Athenian philosophers in Acts 17:24-25:

'The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.'

God's common grace to His world is not predicated on our own achievements. We can't earn His kindness through our accomplishments or lose it through our failures. Our lives and talents are a divine gift.

In our evangelistic endeavours, such initial conversations can be the basis for further discussion. This discussion can unpack how the finished work of Christ, when appropriated by His creatures, brings the ultimate understanding and assurance of unconditional acceptance. The death of Jesus Christ, a demonstration of the fantastic love lavished on humanity, is the wonderful gift of grace that leads to deep-seated gratitude in daily experience.

My grandchild didn't win the preschool egg and spoon race, but she got more than gold because we love her regardless.