I heard my husband stirring. He’s an early riser so I wasn’t completely surprised, but it seemed awfully dark.
I squinted at him and mumbled, “What time is it?”
“It’s 2:30,” he said. “I’m getting up to ride my bike trainer and watch the Olympics.”
“You’re crazy,” I chided him, then rolled over, and went back to sleep.
Maybe you weren’t as committed as my husband to get up in the middle of the night to watch your favorite Olympic events live, but I’m guessing you watched some of the Tokyo Olympic Games this past month.
I feel like we all desperately needed the Olympics during this season. After all the lockdowns and loss, the Olympics certainly felt like a bit of starlight on a dark night.
The Olympics is always brimming with human stories of tragedy and triumph, hard work, courage, and overcoming. Anything can happen on the world stage of the Olympics. That’s what we love about it.
One of the most compelling Olympic stories that unfolded this year was gymnast Simone Biles making the decision to pull out of the team event and all-around competition. Simone, who is considered the greatest gymnast of all time, bravely shared on her own social media platforms and in interviews that she was stepping aside to take care of her mental health.
Commentators and spectators alike were shocked, but a flood of support also followed her decision to step aside. She was making a statement to the world that she was more than her athletic performance.
Sometimes stepping aside is just as important as stepping up.
By Simone stepping aside, she opened the door for her teammates and other athletes to step up and show their talent.
That’s how Sunisa Lee, an eighteen-year-old from Minnesota, became the Olympic all-around gymnastics champion representing the United States. Suni competed not just for herself but also for her family, her community, and all the first-generation Americans. She also trained tirelessly and hoped to take home a medal to honor her father, who suffered a spinal cord injury in 2019, and she became the first Hmong-American to capture the gold.
And Simone was there on the sidelines cheering on her teammate.
I can’t stop thinking about these two young women — Simone and Suni.
Both of them have garnered the deep respect of the world because one stepped aside and another stepped up.
On a much smaller scale, I remember being challenged to make a life-changing decision seven years ago after my husband went to heaven. He and I were directors of a non-profit organization in Haiti, but after his death, I had to decide if I would continue our work with the non-profit.
After agonizing and praying, I decided it was time to step down from my role. I knew my three young daughters needed some stability as we all navigated the loss of my husband and their daddy.
This was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made in my life. I was saying goodbye to my friends, the ministry my husband and I had poured our lives into, and my sense of calling.
But I felt confident in my spirit that it was the right thing to do. I knew that the board of directors would feel more freedom to make important decisions without me, and I knew God would raise up new leaders because the ministry ultimately belonged to Him.
Sometimes stepping aside to care for ourselves and let other people step into their callings can be humbling and hard. But this is exactly the kind of radical humility Jesus modeled for us.
So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
John 13:4-5 (NLT)
On that night when He bent low to wash the grimy feet of His disciples, He was communicating a deep love and profound lesson about leadership. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet to prepare them for the future. In a short time, He would be going to the cross — the ultimate act of humility — and then eventually returning to the Father. He washed their feet to equip them so they could step out into ministry too.
“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”
John 13:14-15 (NLT)
Jesus is clear that He wants His disciples to follow His example. He hopes for them to lead with humility. He longs for them to love lavishly by serving others. He eventually commissions them to bring the good news to the world.
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is to bend low so that we can lift others up.
Simone Biles did this at the Olympics.
And Suni Lee stepped into her purpose because of that. She took home the gold, but she didn’t do it just for herself. She did it for all of us.
Hi Wonderful insights! I have been fighting retirement for all sorts of reasons -including “who will I be afterwards?”. You sparked me to consider more deeply what God has in mind for me and whether I am actually thwarting His plans by not embracing this new path. God continues to nudge me along and you have certainly written a terrific nudge. Stepping down can be as meaningful stepping up and Trust the Maker of the Plan are two takeaways for me. Thanks again.
Beverly, I’m so glad these words met you in your circumstances. I suspect God has important plans and purpose for your next season of life as you step aside and help others flourish too!
Thank you so much, Dorina, for your words that are filled with truth. The way you have connected Jesus bending low to wash His disciples feet with stepping aside to care for ourselves is beautiful.
It takes brave wisdom to know our limitations and when we need to step aside. To know that our worth isn’t tied to anything we could achieve or do. To know we have nothing to prove. The courage, wisdom, and strength of Simone Biles and of yourself in the choices you made is of far higher value than any gold medal.
I am so thankful that when we are weak we are strong, for His power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
May God bless you!
Melanie, I appreciate your words of encouragement. Making the decision to leave Haiti was so hard and humbling, but I’m grateful I can look back and see God’s fingerprints over it all. He was with me in my time of weakness and used these years to grant me strength.
I’m so sorry that you went through such heartache and loss, Dorina, and that you needed to make that brave decision. Thankful that when you look back you can see God’s fingerprints all over that time.
Thank you once again for your words. They bring comfort and reassurance that the times I have needed to step aside to look after my wellbeing has made room for others to flourish. Praying God will richly bless you and your daughters.
I love all of these examples, Dorina. It makes me think of Jesus leaving earth – stepping aside in a way – making room for the Holy Spirit and the disciples to continue the work of growing the kingdom! I’m also thinking about how letting go (like you did with your ministry in Haiti) can also free us to step into something new or more fully… seems likely something I need to pray about. Thanks, friend!
Yes, I really hadn’t processed how Jesus stepped aside for the Holy Spirit and disciples before writing this article. I’m praying for you, my friend. May God guide your steps – the stepping aside and the stepping up in this season!
Dorina,
What Simone Biles did was special. Working hard to come back for a second Olympics only to sit out some important competitions so others can step up-wow!! It takes a humble heart to know when it’s time to step aside. Lately I’ve heard God telling me to step up some. My pastor’s wife stepped down from her Relay for Life (cancer) roles. I sensed Jesus asking me to step in & try my hand. Do what I can. Like King David I knew that God & I could accomplish good things. This year alone I’ve raised $200.00 simply by asking people for donations. We all have various seasons in our lives. Times when we flourish & run the show. Times when we need to step down & allow others to flourish & shine. Thank you Dorina for a great post about allowing others to step into the limelight.
Blessings 🙂
Yes, I so admire what Simone did and the way she articulated her need to step aside. That was true courage and victory!
Thank you, wonderful Dorina, for the best reflection I’ve read on these two amazing gymnasts. Your insight is inspiring, godly and encouraging. Thank you so much! Blessings, Patricia
Your words bring me life! Thank you for reading and responding, my friend. So much to learn from these gymnasts!
What a beautiful perspective on such a difficult season in life.
The journey was hard, but God taught me so much!
Wow, this was powerful. It comes after my declaration to my wellness coach to carve out some “me time.” Prayerfully by stepping aside, I’m allowing someone else to flourish. This is going to be a faith walk.
Sherri, thank you for sharing how this is meaningful in your current situation right now too. I’m saying a little prayer for you right now too! For His glory!