By Dr. John E. Morgan
Pastor–Collinsville Baptist Church
Twenty years ago we were all excited about the Olympics being in our back yard in Atlanta. As I worked at the Olympic Press Center, I learned a lot about what people value.
All the volunteers were issued official uniforms. We got a straw hat and brown shoes (Reeboks). Two pairs of khakis (Hanes). A belt and a pouch that fit on it. (We were not allowed to carry bags.) To complete the outfit, we each got two shirts. The shirts were polo style. The base color was white. And the designs on the shirt were colored circles that were remindful of the Olympic rings. There were also laurel leaves and the Olympics logo. My shirts had blue and green circles. Officials and medical staff had other colors. The shirts were unusual and semi-attractive. But nobody was ready for what happened.
For some reason, people really liked the shirts. And they began to offer volunteers money for them. The shirt would have probably been worth about ten dollars without the design on it. People began to offer $40 or $50 for the shirts. And the prices went up.
All the volunteers were required to ride MARTA. When we got off the trains, people were trying to buy the shirts. I saw one sign being held up offering $100.
Some volunteers sold their shirts. Most did not. Some volunteers swapped one of theirs with another volunteer who had other color rings. The shirts became rarer as the two weeks went on. Prices rising. A real seller’s market.
I realized something was changing on the night of the Closing Ceremonies. As I got off the train, there was a man holding up his shirt. He had a sign asking $20 for it. And had no takers. The market had collapsed. As the games closed, people no longer wanted the shirts.
I did not sell mine. I thought it was wrong to sell them. And I was quite proud of my month of work as a volunteer in Atlanta. I wanted to keep my uniform. I carefully packed it away, including the hat. I was asked to speak at a couple of places about my experiences. I brought my uniform and some other things. Now they are stored in the attic. Someday maybe my children will treasure them. I do. And my wife treasures hers.
Six months after the Olympics, I saw a man wearing an Olympics shirt in a gas station. I went over to talk to him. To compare experiences. I asked where he had worked. He was confused. I pointed to his shirt. In the Olympics, where did he work?
And he told me it was just a shirt. He had bought several at an auction. And did not even realize it was from the Olympics. I wondered what those who paid $100 on a fad would have thought of that.
We often invest in things that turn out to be unimportant. Things we just have to have. Only to learn they aren’t really worth much.
Olympic athletes have been asked whether they would take a drug that guaranteed them a gold medal but would also kill them within five years. In survey after survey, about fifty percent say yes. They would take the drug, get their medal and die five years later.
Someday we will all stand in front of God. I don’t think that He will be very impressed with our collectible shirts. Or our cars. Our season tickets to football games. Add your obsession here. Even gold medals. They are not what life is about. Life is about serving God.
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36
