About Canada or the Olympics?

Olympics commence with joy, sadness at opening ceremony
Starting Saturday, the XXI Olympic Winter Games are about the athletes who have sacrificed, trained and prepared for four years to sled, slide and skate to the very best of their abilities. On Friday night, it was all about Canada. Milwaukee Journal

Watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics was an incredible sight. The frills, thrills, theatrical, and special effects were incredible. But when you sit back and think about it, why? Why do all of these things? Why put on a big show? Is this what Canada is all about? It was a display simply to highlight Canada, NOT the Olympics.

How often have we done this in the church. We have a wonderful message to proclaim and promote, but we usually make it about us first. The precious message of Christ and His atoning work is the news, however, often when people ask us about faith, first it is all about the church's programs, the worship style, the nice people, and how fast they are growing. Christ many times gets the back seat. It is a highlight about the church proper, NOT Christ and Him crucified.

When was the last time you heard someone describe their church as the place where "we receive the forgiveness of sins" or "where we enter into the presence of God?" May we all renew our focus not on the church, but on Christ.