Sermon Illustrations
The Extraordinary 'Older' Athletes of Rio
If you kept up with the Rio Olympics, you saw some pretty amazing athletes—some of whom don't fit the description of a "typical" Olympian. Take 42-year-old Kristin Armstrong, who won a gold medal in cycling, or 41-year-old gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, who's been "competing in Olympic gymnastics since before most of her competitors were born." According to physical therapist Mike Studer, age is looking more and more like just a number when it comes to athletics: "We used to think that individuals over age 50 might potentially be too fragile to work out hard, and research is refuting that." While skeletal muscles and the heart do begin to gradually lose some punch in the aging process, "[a]thletes can counteract [these effects] to some extent with consistent exercise."
Possible Preaching Angle:
Paul may have counseled Timothy to not "let anyone look down on you because you are young" (), but perhaps the same should be said of those who are older, as well. God is well served by many who are older (Moses, Caleb, Simeon, Anna, Zechariah and Elizabeth).
Source:
Rae Ellen Bichell, “Olympic Athletes Prove That Older Doesn't Have To Mean Slower,” NPR (8-16-16)