Feb 12th, 2022: Be Strong and Be Courageous



I have to admit that this is the first time I don't pay much attention to the Winter Olympics. I might just watch a hockey game between the US and Canada when it is on. China has been a terrible host and brought a bad reputation to the game with questionable disqualifications of other teams while playing against its own. I wonder whether it will put a COVID 19 ban on our male and female hockey team and disqualify us from the medal round.


We have witnessed fierce defiance from China towards the West. The display of a tennis star a few days ago who had disappeared for a few months after claiming sexual harassment and now recanted her accusation against a high-ranking official. China did not try to explain what happened. It basically tells the rest of the world it can do whatever it desires. Now just extrapolate that intention to the Olympic games. We might want to scream corruption. The answer we might get is: "So What?"


The message from Mrs. Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, to American athletes who compete in Beijing is also troubling. She basically told them to shut up and not to anger China. Are we trying to tell our best athletes to be cowards and not stand up against what is wrong? We encourage our athletes to speak against discrimination and racism in our nations, yet Mrs. Pelosi now has told them to do the opposite while being in Beijing.


We need to pray for different movements among athletes worldwide to either restore the credibility of the Olympics or begin on something new and more credible. Our world needs renewal so that we can identify corruption and overcome it. Mrs. Pelosi should be ashamed of her message to the American athletes. That is one of the worst leadership examples.


Deuteronomy 31: 6

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."


1 Corinthians 16: 13

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

 

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