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I can only imagine the level of dedication, the hours of practice, and the countless sacrifices required to become an Olympic athlete.  I suspect that the alarm clock would become your enemy on many mornings, but I know that no athlete makes it to that level of competition alone.  Family, friends, and coaches each play an integral part in supporting the athlete and helping them reach their potential in whichever sport they choose.

My alarm clock is often my enemy, but my motivation doesn’t come from a beeping machine or jingle playing on my phone.  “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).  No matter what job I have had, no matter where I have lived, or what I have endeavored to do, I know that it would be impossible without the support of family, friends, and the body of Christ.

May this verse be your motivation on this Wake-up Wednesday:

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24

I don’t know how many if you saw the Opening Ceremonies last Friday.  I enjoyed watching it with my family and remembering my own trip to Russia fourteen years ago.  I appreciated the emotion with which each athlete entered the stadium and the years of work represented by just being able to represent their country as an Olympian.  You could see the pride on their faces to represent their country, but none showed the level of emotion and excitement as the only Venezuelan athlete that came in.

Antonio José Pardo Andretta is the only Venezuelan representing his country in the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, in 2014.  He is 43 years old and he began skiing competitively in 2011, after losing his job and being inspired by the Winter Olympics in Toronto, Canada, in 2010.

I was impressed by his enthusiasm – he was almost dancing as he lifted the Venezuela flag, full of anticipation and joy.  He began working to fulfill his dream at the age of 40.

What dream would you love to realize if age didn’t matter?