Last week, American Snowboarder, Lindsey Jacobellis was competing for the gold medal in the Woman’s Snowboard Cross competition. 

As Lindsey came down the hill, she had a huge lead.  Her closest competitors were not even in the same picture with her.  The gold medal was all but wrapped up.  All that was left to do was to cue up the National Anthem and raise the American flag for the medal ceremony. 

But wait...on the next to the last jump, within site of the finish line, Lindsey admitted to getting caught up in the emotion of her inevitable win, so she did a little “showboating.”  Instead of doing a normal jump, she reached down, grabbed her board, and did a little celebratory twist.  Then the unthinkable happened.  Lindsey Jacobellis fell!  By the time she was  able to get back on her feet, she was passed by a competitor, and had to settle for the silver medal.   

Personally, I felt terrible for her.  All that training.  All that hard work.  The gold medal within her grasp.  Then a little “hot-dogging” and it was over.  Just like that! 

As heartbreaking as this may be, I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it will be for those who have eternal life within their grasp, then through pride, carelessness, or rebellion, end up forfeiting their “crown of life.” 

Please don’t spend your life preparing for heaven, then just before arriving at the finish line, throw all your training away.  Remember the words of Paul, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).