Athens has forever been known for its magnificent buildings, Greek culture and its philosophers and educated men. The past two weeks much gold, silver, and bronze in the form of medals has been distributed at the Summer Olympics in the beautiful seaside city of Athens, Greece.

Many nights I sat spellbound as gymnasts, divers, basketball, volleyball, track and field and other athletes gave their best hoping to honor their country by earning one more medal. My mind cannot even fathom the expertise and training that goes into the various events. In my country Carly Patterson, Paul and Morgan Haam, Mia Hamm, and Jeremy Wariner are just a few of the heroes we will welcome home with their gold, silver, and bronze medals.

I loved sitting, day after day, in my living room so many thousands of miles from the ornate Olympic buildings in historic Athens watching as the flags of many colors were displayed side by side at the events. The competition was fierce as each event unfolded, but later those same competitors shared the joy of being part of the fan base and waved their flags just as high in the stadiums. It has been a truly glorious time of triumph for many. Also, a deep agony of hurt and defeat as mistakes were made and some athletes had to be eliminated.

The Athenians truly opened their hearts to welcome the guest athletes and their families to the great country of Greece. Many nations were represented and yet sometimes for a split second it was almost as if we were one. But then all you had to do was catch a glimpse of the blues, golds, greens and reds in the flags whipping through the air to understand we are different in our beliefs, our cultures and ideas.

And yet, someday, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. All the idols and false gods must go as our wonderful Lord and Savior comes to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The gold, silver and bronze medals distributed at the Summer Olympics are treasured and rightly deserved by the hard working athletes. Most of the wins came from a life long desire to bring home a medal to their country. But, someday, when the trumpet of the Lord sounds and earth shall be no more, the important honor will be if you know Jesus as your Personal Savior.

When the time of testing at judgment day arrives, all our earthly accomplishments will count for nothing. We will then not be able to boast about our medals, but must have our trust in God who has made a way through Jesus Christ for everyone to have eternal life in heaven.