A sense of excitement always surrounds the Olympics and 2024 is no different. I want to tell you a true story you may not know about a true Olympic champion.
In 1940, a little girl was born in St. Bethlehem, Tennesee. She was the 20th out of 22 children. She grew up in poverty. Their home had neither electricity nor indoor plumbing.
Her life was a struggle from birth. Born two months premature, she weighed only four and a half pounds, but her family had something special: a deep faith in Jesus Christ. She was taught that God had a purpose for her life.
As a young child, she was diagnosed with polio. Her family was told that she would never walk. But his young girl overcame polio to become an Olympic sprint champion! Her name: Wilma Rudolph.
In the 1960 Summer Olympics, her performance established her as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. She won three gold medals and broke at least three world records. Wilma Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at the same Olympic games. Her performance also earned her the title of “the fastest woman in the world.”
Wilma says, “When I was going through my transition of being famous, I asked God, why was I here? What was my purpose? Surely, it wasn’t just to win three gold medals. There has to be more to this
life than that.”
She went on to make a difference in the lives of many people. A devoted Baptist, she joined evangelist Billy Graham‘s Baptist Christian Athletes tour in Japan. Over the years, Rudolph held various teaching positions. She dedicated her life to helping others. Her awards and honors are too numerous to list.
She explained her success, as follows:
My mother taught me very early to believe I could achieve any accomplishment I wanted to. The first was to walk without braces.” Wilma Rudolph
To achieve athletic excellence, Rudolph overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles, including poverty, racism, sexism, and a crippling bout with polio, proof that:
“God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB
Trust the Lord. He has a purpose for YOUR life, too. Whatever obstacles you may face, God will get you through. What is God asking you to do?
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
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Sources and credits:
Inspired by Pastor Josh Shook, Woodlands Church, The Woodlands, Texas
Click to access 21-WilmaRudolph.pdf
https://robertbsloan.com/2013/04/17/wilma-rudolph-and-the-apostle-paul-athletes-for-jesus/
Norwood, Arlisha. “Wilma Rudolph.” National Women’s History Museum. National Women’s History Museum, 2017. Date accessed.
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