Keeping Phelps in Perspective

By now most everybody has heard of Michael Phelps "faux pas" (called such by Austin Murphy of Sports Illustrated), which came to light this past Sunday, when a British tabloid published a photo of him using a bong - a device used for smoking marijuana.  Phelps issued a prompt apology, saying, 

I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment.  I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner that people have come to expect from me.  For this, I am sorry.  I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.

While not wanting to doubt this young man's sincerity, I'm not going to hold my breath regarding his promise that "it will not happen again." Why?  Because in 2004, when Phelps was 19 years old, he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.  (He pleaded guilty and was ordered to serve 18 months probation, fined $250, plus had to speak to high school students regarding the dangers of alcohol, and he had to attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving meeting.)  When he was questioned about the incident by Matt Lauer on The Today Show, Phelps said this was an "isolated incident."  While smoking marijuana and driving under the influence are not exactly the same thing, they are both irresponsible and reckless acts of behavior.  Therefore, I won't be surprised if such a thing "will not happen again," despite Phelp's pledge to the contrary.

What's so interesting about this is that an athlete that is rigorous in his training for an athletic competition can be quite undisciplined in other areas of his life.  Yet the Scripture makes it clear that such a thing is possible.  Paul wrote to Timothy, "Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (1 Tim. 4:7b-8 ESV).

Michael Phelps has won 14 career Olympic gold medals, the most by any Olympian.  By the end of 2008 he held seven world records in swimming.  In 2008 Sports Illustrated magazine honored him with the "Sportsman of the Year" award.  These are remarkable achievements, to be sure.  But they will go no further than this life.  Not to be morbid, but eventually they will rust ... and the body of Michael Phelps will rot.  Bodily discipline is important, and tremendously beneficial, but its contributions to our well-being are temporary.  The bodies of the world's best athletes will eventually return to dust.  

As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field so he flourishes.

When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,

And its place acknowledges it no longer.

But the lovingkindness of the LORD

Is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him

And His righteousness to children's children,

To those who keep His covenant

And remember His precepts to do them.

- Psalm 103:15-18

However beneficial and rewarding bodily exercise may be, it cannot compare to the eternal worth and value of living to God's glory.  Is God impressed with Olympic gold medals?  No, but He is pleased and delights in each life lived to His glory.  My point here is not to criticize or sit in judgment over young Michael Phelps.  Here is a young man who is beset with more temptations and opportunities to sin than we realize.  He needs the Lord!  Furthermore, his discipline when it comes to physical training serves as a wonderful model of the kind of commitment we should have when it comes to training ourselves for godliness.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's okay to love sports and to admire accomplished athletes.  But in light of eternity, do they matter all that much?  One hundred years from now, will it really matter who won the Super Bowl or the World Series?  Yet how easy it is for us to get caught up in sports fanaticism and to idolize sports heroes.  "The best of men are men at best."  The only real Hero who will never disappoint us is Jesus Christ.  God accepts sinners like us and Michael Phelps because of what Jesus accomplished, not because of what we have accomplished.