God's Coaching #240

God's Coaching #240

The Olympic racer had only learned to swim nine months earlier. But Eric Moussambani had been invited to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, through a special program to spread sports around the world. He had never even swum in an Olympic-sized pool, which is 164 feet long. His small country in Africa—Equatorial Guinea—only had two swimming pools. He trained at a hotel pool that was 65 feet across.

In Sydney, the other two swimmers in Eric’s 100-meter freestyle heat both false-started and were disqualified. So when the gun sounded, Eric dove in to swim alone. His stroke looked more average Joe than Olympian. Spectators began to notice Eric’s struggle after his awkward turn. As Eric flailed along, the crowd began to roar, urging him toward the finish. They weren’t sure if he’d make it or drown. Eric the Eel, as he was later nicknamed by reporters, splashed to the finish. His time was more than a minute slower than other racers, but he became a hero. After the race he thanked the crowd, saying it was their cheering that had kept him going.

What’s the Score?

Eric the Eel gave his best, but he needed more. He needed the crowd. Their cheers gave him new strength, and he was able to race farther than he ever had before.

We need other people in our spiritual lives, too. That’s why church is so important. The Bible tells us, “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25). Worshiping together helps build our spiritual muscles and pumps us up for the rest of our week. Our family and Christian friends cheer us on. They help us stay on course in life’s race for God. When we get tired or feel like giving up, we can hear their support and keep going. We can give the same kind of encouragement to others, too. Together we can reach the finish like a whole pack of “eels.”

On the Ball

Look around church this week at the people who cheer for you. How can you pass the same kind of encouragement to others?

Coach’s Comment

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25