The Greatest of All Time

 "I'm now a legend.  I'm also the greatest athlete to ever live."  - Usain Bolt, after becoming the first man to win back-to-back Olympic titles in the 100 and 200 meters.

Jamaica's Usain Bolt is definitely the fastest man alive.  If you don't believe that, just ask him!  I have been amazed watching Bolt run the last two Olympics.  His speed and ability defy explanation.  How can a man 6'5" tall run that fast?  Sports commentators have exhausted the English language trying to describe Usain's accomplishments.  One word, though, they have never used to describe Bolt is "humble."

In stark contrast to Usain Bolt's self-glorifying rhetoric, the Olympics also brought us Gabby Douglas.  This 4'11" gymnast claimed gold for the United States in the all-around competition.  In a television interview after her amazing performance she said, “I give all the glory to God.  It’s kind of a win-win situation.  The glory goes up to Him, and the blessings fall down on me.”  She then tweeted to her fans, “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.”

A 16-year-old gymnast reminds us of a powerful biblical truth.  All the glory goes to God.  He alone is the giver of all that is good in this world.  It's so tempting for us to take the credit when good things come our way and then to blame God when things fall apart. 

I would challenge us in the coming days to begin and end each day giving God all the glory for every good and perfect gift.  God is showering our lives with blessing whether we think we are in an abundant season or not.  We just need to open our eyes and appreciate His blessings all around us. 

Usain, I hate to burst your bubble, but our God is the True Legend and the Greatest of All Time.