2 Mar, 2010
What do you have in common with the Snow Leopard?
Ghana's "Snow Leopard" Makes Olympic Debut
Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, the first ever Winter Olympian from the African nation of Ghana, is on the start list for Saturday's men's slalom, the final Alpine skiing event of the 2010 Olympics. Having developed an affectionate following within the sport, he has embraced the nickname "The Snow Leopard," and the uniforms of the Ghana Ski Team, of which he is the only member, have a leopard-print motif.
Out of 102 racers, Nkrumah-Acheampong starts 102nd. His goal is finish somewhere better than last.
"My expectations are to put down two good runs and make myself, my coach, and my family and fans proud," said Nkrumah-Acheampong. "Some of the racers who are on the slope who I train with know that I can ski, but for the rest of the world and the general public I need to prove myself again."
To read the full article by Nathaniel Vinton DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Saturday, February 27th 2010, go to nydailynews.com.
I Peter 2:11-12 [NIV]
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Psalm 119:19a [NIV]
I am a stranger on earth
Hebrews 11:13b [NIV]
And they (the heroes of the faith) admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
What does God's Story teach us about standing out in this world?
The simple message is woven throughout the entire Bible... a Christian's home is not of this world. We are to live as aliens and strangers. The world will say, think and do things that are foreign to us who live to please God. We should stand out. As God lives in us, we will stand out. As a result, not only will the world notice, our authentic lives will cause them to praise God.
Connecting today's story, God's Story and my story
So what do you have in common with the Snow Leopard?
- He looks like he does not belong. (His country does not even have snow!) We, too, should look like we don't belong. Your friends may swear, cheat, gossip, lie...etc...but when you simply don't do these things, you stand out...you will look like you don't belong.
- He proudly reps his homeland! He wanted to make everyone back home proud. We should also live in a way that makes our Father proud. Everyone "back home" (in heaven) is cheering us on to live good lives so that they may see our good deeds.
- He is making an impact. No, he didn't medal...but everyone has taken notice and he hopes to lead the way for other athletes from Ghana to be Olympians too. When we live in a way that causes us to stand out, people will take notice and they will Glorify God on the day He visits us.
Connecting today's story, God's Story, my story and their story
Everyone at Whistler knew without a doubt that there was an African from Ghana on the slalom course. Does everyone at your public school, your work place, your athletic team...know without a doubt that there is a Christian in the room? Are you living such good lives among them that they can't help but see your good deeds? If you truly allow God to have control of your life their story will be impacted.
The whole world watched the Olympics and now knows the home of Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong. May the whole world know of our home as well.
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