Crowds

In my opinion, there are good crowds and bad crowds. Bad crowds include: Christmas shoppers, the rowdy crowd making their way home past my flat and singing loudly at 3am and, most annoying of all, the slow-walking, pavement-blocking crowd.

But good crowds can be supportive and collaborative and encouraging. They can work together to achieve far more than individuals can; they can support and encourage each other; they can be a powerful force for good.

One of the most amazing things about watching the Olympics this week has been the reaction and support of the crowds, especially the crowd supporting the home team. The sheer volume of the cheering and shouting every time someone from team GB has been competing has been immense.

So many athletes have commented on the support of the crowds too and the effect that is has had on them. When the athletes have been nervous or overwhelmed, the crowd has encouraged them; when they haven't done as well as they had hoped, it has helped them to pick themselves up; when they have grown tired and weary, it has motivated them to keep going.

In the same way, the Bible tells us that we have a huge crowd of witnesses, spurring us on and encouraging us to persevere in our walk with God. A crowd of witnesses who have gone before us and who are on our side.

Yesterday, I wrote about the Holy Spirit being on our side and being our coach. We also have a crowd supporting us - other Christians who have gone before us and who can give us advice and encouragement, or those who walk alongside us and cheer us on.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

[Hebrews 12:1 NLT]

Pete Greig writes in his poem "The Vision" -

"They (Christians) don't need fame from names. Instead they grin quietly upwards and hear the crowds chanting again and again: "COME ON!"

We weren't meant to run this race alone. It's a team sport. Let's cheer each other on and listen out for the roaring support of others.

Coaching

I have been really enjoying watching the gymnastics at the Olympics over the last couple of days.  I am always amazed by how flexible and strong the gymnasts are, and by how effortless it all appears.

I have just been watching the uneven bars and have been amazed, not just by the gymnasts, but by the coaches.  Apparently they have to remain under the bars whilst their gymnast competes, which is called 'spotting'.  They are there for the safety of their gymnast. 

Some of the coaches I have seen this afternoon have been literally millimetres away from the gymnasts as the gymnasts have swung from bar to bar.  Every time the gymnasts looked as though they might fall, the coaches would reach out a hand, ready to steady them or grab them.  But if they do touch the gymnasts whilst they are still on the bars, there is a penalty.  Consequently, the coaches have the tricky job of needing to be ready to step in and support the gymnast if needed, but maintaining their distance if not.

Of course, the gymnast hopes they won't need the support of their coach whilst they are competing, but it is reassuring to know they are there.

Jesus told His disciples that He would send them a 'coach'  when He returned to heaven; someone who would encourage and support and protect them:

"When the Friend comes, the Spirit of Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is.  He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said."

[John 16:13-14 MSG]

Our coach is the Holy Spirit.  Someone who is on our team and wants the best for us; someone who will support and uphold us; someone who will always be there for us, ready to pick us back up when we fall.

He holds us by the hand and guides us into a deeper understanding of ourselves, and of God.  He doesn't draw attention to Himself, in the same way that a gymnast's coach doesn't draw attention to himself.  But He is always ready to step in and help us, whenever we need it.

That's the kind of coach I want.

"Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."

[Psalm 37:24 NLT]