I’m pleased to share this interesting article by Christian writer Ralph Turner. He rightly observes that the secularism prevalent in France and other parts of the West does, at times, take on the nature of a merciless religion. It is also full of inner contradictions. In the name of liberty, they permit the mockery of what is sacred to people’s faith, in an already divided world. In the name of equality, they suppress expressions of such faith. As faith and a passion for the gospel continue to rise, Western governments will inevitably have to deal with these tensions. But rather than engage in the aggressive posturing of the culture wars, we Christians would do well to follow the example of these athletes—displaying simple boldness as they offer unapologetic yet humble testimony to the difference Jesus makes in their lives.

What I appreciate most about the article is how Ralph shifts the focus to the many athletes who glorified God for their achievements—or even in spite of falling short of their goals. They demonstrated deep commitment to their sport while acknowledging that there are greater and more important things even than Olympic medals. I was stunned and encouraged by the number of athletes who spoke so openly and authentically about their faith. While there have always been a few, the sheer number this time was remarkable. And there was worship in the athletes’ village.

In recent book and podcast reviews, we’ve seen a growing interest in God among academics and public intellectuals. This article and other similar content around the internet reveals a parallel rise of faith among athletes. Keep an eye out for where else and among who else this is happening around you.