A moment in history

In case you have somehow missed the news, the English cyclist Bradley Wiggins has won the Tour de France for the first time. He is also the first Englishman to win the race in its history. As the BBC Sports website puts it, ‘In three demanding weeks, he toiled over the Alps and the Pyrenees to complete the mammoth 20-stage, 2,173-mile race which was in its 99th edition’. Wiggins has made history. Some suggest that this tremendous achievement ranks him alongside some of the other great British sportsmen and women, possibly in the top ten of recent years. Congratulations to him for his remarkable victory.

However, one feature that is true of all greats within the sporting world, and in most other walks of life, is that it is only a matter of time before they are forgotten. Their achievements only remembered by the few, or, worse still, only by the enthusiastic quiz buff! We speak of our “fifteen seconds of fame” before we disappear from view and our greatest achievements are lost in the mists of time.

This is what made me think of one person whose impact upon life is still as remarkable today as it was 2000 years ago when He lived. That person is Jesus Christ! For many people within the world He reset the calendar, some years classified as BC (before Christ), and some AD (Anno Domini, in the year of our Lord). That is just one way in which He changed people’s life forever. Yes, there are many revered leaders across the world of religion but no one else rose from among the dead and is alive today in heaven itself. His birth is celebrated at Christmas. His death is remembered at Easter time. The place where He lived remains in the spotlight of world news today, just as much as it was then. Ethnic cleansing, pogroms, purges, and other forms of cruelty and persecution over the centuries have failed to erase His name and His followers from history. Isn’t that remarkable? We believe it is! Jesus Christ changed history, but, more importantly, Jesus Christ can change your life forever. He can free you from the grip of sin and give you real hope of heaven. Will you accept Him as your Saviour and Lord?

Less than a second . . .

With modern technology it is now not only possible to have a picture of runners as they cross the finish line but timings for runners, although less than a second may separate them. It may be less than a tenth of a second that is the difference between runners in the 100 metres or in lap times at a major grand prix. This can be the difference between winning and losing.

These thoughts are particularly relevant as we approach the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Millions of pounds have been spent in construction, in organization, and publicity to makes these games memorable. For many this may well be the only time they will see such a world-renowned tournament in this country.

I find this a challenging thought. For GB athletes this is their only chance to win a medal at the Games in their own country. The preparations and training will have been intense and yet less than a second may decide whether they win or lose. How sad to think that some who have come so far will, unfortunately, leave with nothing!

Christians believe the Bible when it says that the opportunity of God’s salvation is limited by time. It is available now, but it will not be available forever. As we are all sinners (we have failed to live up to God’s required standards), we need His forgiveness and cleansing. In the person and work of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, God has provided a way of salvation. If we are prepared to confess our sin and to believe in Christ for salvation, we can be sure of heaven. Sadly, there will be those who know what they need to do and why they need to do it but less than a second may separate them from God’s salvation.