This weekend marks the end of one of my favorite events of the year – le Tour de France.
Might seem like an odd topic for a blog focused on Jesus and human trafficking, but I think there’s something to be learned from looking a bit deeper at this epic event.
To a casual observer, the tour looks like 186 individuals riding down the road. That observer wouldn’t understand that cycling is very much a team sport. While it takes an incredible rider to win, no single individual could win on his own. The tactics of teammates sacrificing themselves at different points during the race makes victory possible.
The casual observer would also miss the multiple competitions within the overall the tour. Categories such as “fastest sprinter” and “king of the mountains” carry their own coveted prizes.
The point? It’s awfully easy to watch from the outside and form a judgment about what’s going on, without really understanding. How often are you and I certain we understand, without taking the time to really listen and learn and know the circumstances?
One other thing about the tour that fascinates me – the very strongest rider has no chance of success against a group of good riders. The group, working together, has so much aerodynamic advantage and can share the workload of being in front, that a single rider simply cannot prevail against it.
Communities are stronger and more resilient than individuals. That’s not an accident – we were created by a community for community. We were never intended to operate alone.
Finally, it’s nearly impossible for top-level riders to separate themselves on flat roads. They can all ride that kind of terrain at about the same speed.
The difference happens when the roads get difficult and steep. That’s where the very best riders can distinguish themselves.
I’ve always thought that was a great life lesson. All of us can cruise along when things are smooth and easy. It’s only when life gets tough, when the challenges come, that we find out how much our faith really matters.
Thanks for indulging my obsession. And as they say in France:
Veve le Tour!