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I hope you've had a blessed week and are looking forward to the Sabbath rest and the rest of the weekend. 

In February 1980, the U.S. Olympic hockey team won the gold medal at Lake Placid, New York, with a 4-2 win over Finland. Do you remember that memorable day? Most likely not. In fact, you may be saying to yourself at this moment, "I don't even follow sports" or "I don't follow Hockey" or "I wasn't even alive in 1980". I know the chances of you remembering or even knowing about the US gold medal win in the 1980 Olympics is very slim, nonetheless, I'm referring to it because it was one of the most inspiring moments in sporting history. 

In one of the greatest upsets in sporting history, the young North American hockey team defeated the tournament favourites - the Soviet Union team, on their way to glory. Before his team's game against the Soviet Union, U.S. coach Herb Brooks told his players the following: "You are born to be a player. You are meant to be here at this time. This is your moment". Nothing defines and motivates a man like a sense of purpose and reason for being and that's exactly what this hockey team believed. So much so, that their victory over the more experienced Soviet Union would go down as one of the most memorable sporting wins in sports history. 

Maybe coach Brooks had read the Bible that morning because he was echoing the words of God to Adam and ultimately all of humanity. God created Adam in His own Image, in the Image of God He created male and female, so that he could occupy a place of special honour and privilege. Out of all the creatures God created, Adam (mankind) was special because he could intentionally respond to God in obedience and love. Adam never questioned his purpose, he never questioned why he was put in the garden of Eden, instead he understood his purpose in life, he had a sense that God put him there for a reason; to fellowship with and immerse himself in the presence of God. In the same manner we too are called to live a life in connection with God. God created us for a purpose and for a time as this. It is our duty as believers to reflect God's image in our lives. To live life in confidence that God abides in us and is always with us. Therefore, we have the privilege of reflecting God's image of love to the world. We are all created for a purpose.