Cheering You On

 

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up…”

I Thessalonians 5:11

My guess is you’ve never heard of Eric Moussambani. I certainly hadn’t before I came across his story last week. And after watching a brief video about him on YouTube, I will never forget him.

Let me fill in some of the details. Eric was a twenty-two-year-old from Equatorial Guinea and, under a special provision that encourages developing countries to participate, won a wildcard entry for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in the 100-meter men’s freestyle.

The thing is, Eric had only learned to swim 8 months prior to the Olympics. Moreover, he had only ever practiced in a 12-meter pool at a hotel he was allowed to use between 5 AM and 6 AM. The first time he would ever see a 50-meter pool was at the Olympics he was competing in.

The other two swimmers in his heat were disqualified for false starts, leaving Eric to swim alone. Though his event was relatively short, Eric fatigued quickly and began to flail wildly at the end. That is until the capacity crowd jumped to their feet and cheered him on.

He finally reached the wall and ironically won his heat regardless, since he was the only one in the pool. After catching his breath, Eric then told a reporter, “It was their cheering that kept me going.”

Join the Cheering Crowd

To be sure, Eric’s determination is inspiring. However, equally inspiring to me was the crowd that roared their encouragement.

Scripture reminds us of the importance of encouraging one another. Here are a few examples:

  • “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up…” I Thessalonians 5:11

  • “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13

  • “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

I’m determined to take these verses to heart. Indeed, I’ve begun to end my coaching times not only with the words, “I’m praying for you” but I’m cheering for you.”

In hearing that first phrase, my coachees typically nod their heads. When I add that second phrase, they smile.

We all need encouragement. It’s the wind beneath our wings. Or, as in the case of Eric Moussambani, it’s the strength in the waves.

So let me encourage you to be an encourager today. Let someone know that you are cheering for them. It may be the very thing they need.

 
 
 

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Dave DeSelmdevotionals, devotional, disciple, discipleship, encouragement, encourage one another, cheering others on, swimmerComment