The Olympics are over in more ways than one.

Thank God the spectacle is done. But one athlete walked in the footsteps of Eric Liddell by demonstrating his Christian faith for all the world to see. Tennis star, Novak Djokovic, kissed the cross and pointed to heaven after winning matches, the final one against Carlos Alcaraz to claim the gold medal. Although I didn't see it, I read about it and remembered once again that Scottish runner who, like Djokovic, made it clear he was a Christian first and an athlete second.

The pathetic display of man shaking his fist at God at the Paris Olympics ended Sunday. I didn't watch one second and, frankly, didn't miss it a bit. According to what I've read, the ceremonies ended the way they began with a salute to Satan. Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, described one particular scene saying:

The only thing worse than the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris could be their closing...Everything is in plain text: a fallen angel turns people into zombies, subjugates humanity to his will, which has less and less time left."

I've always enjoyed the gymnastics at the summer games, but the opening ceremony was so extreme and left me so disgusted I could only shake my head. No thanks. Even the women's gym team with their always beautiful floor exercises couldn't coax me back. Sorry, ladies, I know you worked hard to get there, but when the organizers go out of their way to offend Christians, I'm done! And when they make the games an offering to Satan...well...reparation is in order big time!

A few things at the games showed faith and gratitude to God aren't totally dead, primarily for me Novak Djokovic's actions. Thank God for an athlete well grounded in what really matters.

I had to do an internet search this morning to see if the show was over with all its freaky madness. It ended Sunday. We can all breathe a sigh of relief. The athletic gods are heading home and the venue is being deconstructed. I thought once again of Eric Liddell who died in a Japanese-occupied inernment camp in China where he served as a missionary. It would be well worth your time to read about Eric Liddell and end the summer olympic season by watching Chariots of Fire. There are still men and women of good will among the athletic community although they're hard to find. Pray that God raises up more celebrities to give public acknowledgment that all our gifts and talents come from him, "on loan from God" as Rush Libaugh used to say. And here's a great article on Eric Liddell. 

A final message about the closing ceremony. The pit has no bottom. We need to repent and do penance. Thank God for the few "ambassadors of God" at the olympics who gave Him the glory for their performances.