In these past weeks, we have had the privilege of watching the Olympic Games held in Italy. There are moments of glory. And moments of defeat. And with our increased technological abilities, we really do get to see it all! We see the dreams of a lifetime shattered. We see the efforts of a lifetime rewarded. We see families cheer. We see people capable of stunning feats reduced to tears.
Yes, the Olympic athletes are rightly viewed as heroes. They devote their lives to their sport. The train for endless hours. They orient every aspect of their lives around succeeding in their athletic endeavors. Few others have such commitment.
In the Christian tradition, we see Jesus as the one whom we are called to emulate. He devotes himself, fully, entirely, to his calling: To demonstrate, manifest, the totality of Divine Love, in the realm of human life on Earth.
In Jesus we see the fullest expression of Divine Love. And his witness is not based on winning or losing a competition. It is not based on getting noticed. It is not based on landing a sponsor or a contract. Jesus’ life is rooted in self giving. In humility. In the uplifting of others.
In Samantha Harvey’s book, Orbital, we are told of an astronaut from the Soviet Union who was sort of abandoned on the space station because of the breakup of the USSR. He was the first Russian on an expedition to the space station. And because of demise of the USSR, for 6 months he could not get home. He was essentially temporarily abandoned in space. This astronaut was the hero of one of the character’s in the book, the Russian astronaut, Roman. And was this hero a brazen, bombastic braggart? No. We are told, “Roman’s hero, Krikalev. His idol. An uncelebrated but quiet and clever and gentle man.”
These are not the usual attributes associated with a hero. Quiet. Clever. Gentle. May we remember that the one we follow was also a countercultural ‘hero.’ Not concerned with fame or glory. But with devotion to others, sacrificial love, and humility.
Prayer: In these days of Lent, may we examine what is important to us. May we look at our own lives to see how we are living out our call to follow Jesus. May we not chase acclaim or wealth but devotion, meaning, and purpose. Amen.
Devotion prepared by Rev. Kim P. Wells, pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ in St. Petersburg, FL
The devotions this Lenten season will be based on the novel Orbital by Samantha Harvey. Orbital won the Booker Prize in 2024. It is a beautifully written story about the experience of a group of people orbiting the Earth in a spaceship. They see 16 sunrises and sunsets in a 24 hour period. The book is a reflection on the experience of living together and appreciating planet Earth in a new way.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 