We Need Others

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The lone rider from the Netherlands had taken the lead over the peloton by more than 20 minutes. A small group of riders followed closely, but even on a highly technical descent down the narrow mountain road leading to Cordoba, his slim legs pedaling with great form, and with only a few kilometers left to the finish line, he seemed unstoppable.

That cyclist’s name is Lars Boom, and he made headlines by winning stage 15 of the 2009 Vuelta a España (cycling tour of Spain), considered one of the most difficult cycling events in the world. As I watched a replay of that stage on TV a few days ago, the commentator noted that “…not a single one of the riders that had won a stage in this year’s Vuelta was among the top ten in the general classification.” What does that say about being successful in a sport that places so much importance on individual achievement?

We have grown accustomed to hearing about the triumphs of individual athletes. The story of the wildly successful self-made man/woman in America has permeated sports and popular culture from its beginnings. The media often focuses on individual talent even when covering team sports like cycling. Many athletes today are self-centered, glorifying the “I-don’t-need-anyone-else” concept that reflects on other areas of society [though that is clearly the subject of another article]. When that athlete wins continuously and overwhelmingly (the likes of Lance Armstrong or Michael Phelps), we may hear her/his story more in-depth because 20-20 presents an interview in which she or he thanks mom, or perhaps a coach or a sibling, for “being there”. The interviewee then explains how that person became his inspiration.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”
NIV: Proverbs 27:17.

For the majority of famous athletes, however, we won’t usually hear about the person that convinced them to join their first running club; or their current role models; or the contribution that training partners have offered on the road to reaching the top of their game. Talent and being driven are unquestionably important elements of competing. But the athlete cannot grow in their character, become mature in a sport, or train nearly as effectively, without someone on their side. Since our youth we are led to believe that it is raw talent, a “can-do” attitude, hard-work, genetics, or a combination of those elements that gets you to the top. But that is not the whole truth.

We are made to grow in character and strength via what others teach us, what is modeled before us, and through a guidance that can only be accomplished through others. God also uses others for those times we need to recover from failures. And the Bible is filled with examples of “spiritual athletes” that grew in their character, matured and completed the course with aid from role models, mentors and friends: Moses and Joshua; Elijah and Elisha; David and Jonathan.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” NIV: James 5:16.

Lars Boom finished 55th in the 2009 Vuelta. While there’s a myriad of reasons for his place in the general classification – maybe he’s more a sprinter; or, he gave all his effort in one day of glory – the point remains that Lars probably did not win that stage without the help of his teammates. And if he was a rider of the same maturity as Lance Armstrong or Alberto Contador, he’d understand that he has little chance of completing any course without the help of others.

Jairo Ospina
jospina@race-of-faith.com