Running for God's gold

"And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?
'Seven,' they said,
Don't you understand yet, he asked them?"

Good question, isn't it?

Do we understand the power of God?
Do we use the power of God?
Have we faith in the power of God?

I fear not, not and no.

Some do, however.

In today's Olympics, in the opening heats of a relay, a South African, Ofense Mogatwane became entwined with Kenya's Vincent Kiilu. Mogatwane fell, and grabbed his shoulder in pain. Double-amputee Oscar Pistorius, who has had these Games in an uproar for and against him, was set to take the baton in the relay but instead he tried to get to his fallen teammate but was stopped by track officials.

On Twitter, he wrote, "Thank you for the support. Hugely disappointed for the team and sorry for Ofentse who dislocated his shoulder. Wish him a quick recovery."

Officials gathered at some point and decided the Kenyans were responsible and reversed their decision to disqualify the South Africans, sending the inspirational runner to the final.

He was surprised at the reversal, which will allow the team to run in Friday's final.

His reply on Twitter, "Thank you Lord! Emotional roller coaster!"

Now, did God shine down on the 4,000 moreso than the ones who that day weren't there? Did God care more for the double-amputee than he did for the Kenyans?

Interesting question that I have no concrete answer for. But what I do know is that thanking the Lord is the proper response for every good measure done to and for us. I also know that thanking the Lord during the sure to come storms is also proper.

In other words, both the Kenyans and the South Africans had reasons to be thankful. Both teams made it to the semifinals of a race for gold. Both had been gifted with incredible athletic gifts. Even the double-amputee, though it would seem he would be bitter for the loss of his legs, had reason to be thankful that the expertise and gifts of doctors who put the artificial legs on him did such a wonderful job that he still was able to run.

All this is amazing and awesome, which is a pretty darn good description of our God.