BEING A WITNESS FOR JESUS

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Australian high jumper Nicola Olyslagers (née McDermott), known for her outspoken Christian faith, has shared the podium in Switzerland despite adverse conditions.

Defying the pouring rain, Aussie athlete Nicola Olyslangers took a single jump to clear 1.91 metres in the high jump competition at the Diamond League in Lausanne, Switzerland. 

The conditions were less than optimal, causing world high jump champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh (Ukraine) to bow out after two failed attempts. But the soaked track didn’t stop Olyslangers from taking the risk—and it paid off, as she cleared the bar on her first and only attempt.

“On a night where rain battered the stadium and Olympic champions faltered, dual Olympic medallist Nicola Olyslagers rose above the conditions to share the top spot in the Women’s High Jump at the Lausanne Diamond League, a highlight in a string of gritty Australian performances in Switzerland.” — Sascha Ryner, Australian Athletics

The New South Wales-based Olympian, who in 2021 became the first woman to clear 2 metres and last year won silver in the Paris Olympics, shared the podium with Poland’s Maria Zodzic and Germany’s Christina Honsel.

Characteristically, Olyslangers left no question as to who deserved the praise, telling reporters that God is the reason she doesn’t flag under adverse conditions.

“… the joy that’s inside of me can’t get drowned out because it’s from a source that doesn’t get diluted with circumstances, because I have God’s joy inside of me…” — Nicola Olyslangers

Olyslangers posted photos of the pouring rain on Instagram with the caption, “The floodgates opened over Lausanne 💙 When it’s worship, it’s a treasured moment no matter the weather.”

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM THE WINNER OF THE MASTER’S GOLF TOURNAMENT

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Scottie Scheffler dedicated his second Masters win in three years to God, declaring that “victory was secure on the cross” as he secured the victory at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday.

“I was sitting around with my buddies this morning, I was a bit overwhelmed,” the 27-year-old said Sunday after becoming the 10th golfer in history to win two green jackets in three years.

“I told them, ‘I wish I didn’t want to win as badly as did I or as badly as I do.’ I think it would make the mornings easier. I love winning. I hate losing. I really do. And when you’re here in the biggest moments, when I’m sitting there with the lead on Sunday, I really, really want to win badly.”

“My buddies told me this morning, my victory was secure on the cross,” he said. “And that’s a pretty special feeling; to know that I’m secure forever and it doesn’t matter if I win or lose this tournament. My identity is secure forever.”

“I believe that today’s plans were already laid out many years ago, and I could do nothing to mess up those plans,” Scheffler later added. “I have been given a gift of this talent, and I use it for God’s glory. That’s pretty much it. So when I’m out there, I try to compete to the best of my abilities … I feel like that’s how I was designed. … At the end of the day, my identity’s secure already.”

Scheffler, whose wife of four years, Meredith, is expecting their first child, said that while he’s going to “soak in” the victory and doesn’t plan on taking his eye off the ball anytime soon, his family remains his main priority, with golf “probably fourth” down the line.

“I feel like playing professional golf is an endlessly not-satisfying career,” the University of Texas alumnus said. “For instance, in my head, all I can think about right now is getting home. I’m not thinking about the tournament. I’m not thinking about the green jacket. I’m trying to answer your questions, and I’m trying to get home.

“I wish I could soak this in a little bit more. Maybe I will tonight when I get home. But at the end of the day, I think that’s what the human heart does. You always want more, and I think you have to fight those things and focus on what’s good.

“Because, like I said, winning this golf tournament does not change my identity. My identity is secure, and I cannot emphasize that enough.”

GOD’S GRACE CAN REACH ANY HEART

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This story from Voice of the Martyrs is just one of many demonstrating the truth of these words.

It is the story of Sergei Bessarab who was shot to death in a small city called Isfara, where he had planted a church.

Sergei Bessarab became a Christian in prison as a result of another man also named Sergei who had prayed for Bessarab’s salvation. The two men had met in prison while Bessarab was serving time for his criminal activities.

In prison, Sergei prayed every day that Bessarab would come to Christ. But Bessarab was less than grateful for his friend’s concern. “Don’t waste time praying for me,” Bessarab told him.

Sergei remained steadfast in prayer, however, and Bessarab did eventually bend his knee to Christ. This should be a lesson for all of us. Keep praying, particularly for family members and loved ones. The former criminal became a bold witness for his Saviour both inside the prison walls and, after his release, as a pastor on the outside. In addition, he made frequent return visits to the prison to share the gospel with inmates.

Soon after, Bessarab and his wife Tamara moved to Isfara and planted a church, which began to grow as Muslims turned to Christ, a headline in the local paper asked the pointed question, “What’s Going to Be Done About Sergei Bessarab?”

Picture of a man playing the guitar
Sergei Bessasab strumming his gutar in worship

On Jan. 20, 2004, the son of a local mosque leader answered the question, shooting and killing Bessarab as he strummed his guitar during his nightly time of worship, Scripture reading, and prayer.

When the young man who killed Bessarab was convicted and sent to prison, Christians were waiting there to meet him. In God’s amazing providence, the killer was eventually assigned to a cell with a Christian prisoner who had been led to Christ and discipled by Bessarab!

And over time, the mosque leader’s son became Bessarab’s spiritual grandson, placing his trust in Christ.

Think about it, Bessarab was once a convicted criminal. Many would have written him off spiritually. His killer, a Muslim was also far from God, and some may have written him off as well. But God’s grace can reach any heart.

Picture the final chapter of this story: Pastor Sergei Bessarab stands worshiping before God’s throne with the man who ended his life on earth and perhaps the two may be working together on this earth again during Jesus’ soon coming Millennial Kingdom.

“Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6

WHERE WILL YOU GO AND DO FOR GOD?

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“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:6-8

We know that it was probably only as a result of persecution that Christians eventually moved out of Jerusalem to spread the Gospel. Hence, we know that God will do whatever is necessary to accomplish His purposes. What was the eventual outcome? From what we know, Peter and his wife traveled into Asia Minor, over to Greece, and on to Rome, never to return home. John eventually made his way throughout Western Turkey and settled in Ephesus to oversee the work there. Notably, he ended up on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. Thomas headed in the opposite direction to India, Matthew to Ethiopia. Judas Thaddeus to Armenia.

But for most of us, God’s call is to go out into the community where He has placed us. The big question is, are we completing the great commission to make disciples in our community? Considering we are approaching the time of His return the answer to this question in the affirmative is mandatory.

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