YOG: Waves of Disappointment

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By Tracy Phua, 22, Singapore

(Photo: SPH-SYOGOC/Selwyn Yeo)

Disappointment clouded the faces of four China youths on 16 August 2010. They had been disqualified in the 4 x 100 meter medley relay at the Youth Olympic Games held in Singapore.

China’s third swimmer, Liu Lan, committed the faux pas of jumping into the pool 0.10 millisecond before second swimmer Wang Chang touched the pool wall. It was a letdown for fourth swimmer Tang Yi. She was quoted as saying, “When we managed to create some distance between us and our competitors, we thought victory was ours. As we swam, we felt more pumped to swim harder and further.”

It is not difficult to imagine the extent of their disappointment and regret. They have put in extensive hours of training for this event, but their medal hope came crashing down in barely a second. I do not want to even imagine the guilt they feel towards their coaches and country.

The pain of disqualification is indeed great, and it is one fear that the seemingly gutsy Apostle Paul has. In 1 Corinthians 9:27, he wrote: “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

Paul alludes to the Isthmian games, an athletic competition held every two years in Corinth, to illustrate how seriously the Corinthians must take the discipline of their salvation. The expression “I discipline my body” entails the idea of giving oneself a black eye, “buffet,” or “bruise.” Literally it could mean to beat yourself black and blue. The purpose of discipline is “to train the body to do what it should.” Athletes go through rigorous drills to get their body to behave optimally to the rules of the game. On a similar note, Christians must buffet our body to behave in accordance to God’s Word so as not to be disqualified. Now, what does that mean? Certainly, Paul’s concern is not that he might lose his salvation for that has been assured in Christ. Rather, he is concerned about losing his crown through failing to satisfy his Lord. Paul did not want to be saved by the skin of his teeth. He wanted all the rewards that come with a faithful response to the Gospel of salvation. We should too.

Eugene Peterson paraphrased Paul’s word this way: “I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.”