If you’ve been watching the Olympics in the past weeks you’re guaranteed to have witnessed some remarkable feats of strength, endurance, skill and sportsmanship. As the medalists take to the podium to receive their prize there is an illusion we are seeing the best in the world and a temptation to admire the individual for their achievement. But in reality, no athlete is a soloist or self-made star. Invisible in these moments is a consortium of the best people and resources that have been supporting them.
These champions started out as children who could barely tread water or were last in the class to master a somersault. Some were born into poverty in obscure rural villages. Their road to success required family, coaches, teammates and funders to encourage and equip them in their quest for gold. I have yet to hear a post-win interview where the winner claims to have reached their goals by their own grit and determination alone.
The same is true for Christians. We need each other. God designed us to flourish in a community where leadership, fellowship, and inspiration is shared. Everyone’s faith in Jesus starts somewhere, for some at an early age, for others it begins after years of resistance or apathy. When that golden moment happens, not a step up to the highest platform but in being lowered underwater, only Heaven sees the prayers, the conversations, the musicians, and the authors behind the scenes that were conduits of the Holy Spirit contributing to this triumph.