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By now, the world knows that Gabby Douglas won two gymnastic gold medals during the 2012 Olympic games. Her achievements were impressive. Not only was she the first African American to do it, but she gave such a glowing testimony after she did it. She gave credit to God by saying, “I give all the glory to God. It’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to him and the blessings fall down on me”– quite a testimony from a 16-year-old. It illustrates the connection between human effort and divine empowerment. It is what the Apostle Paul explained in Galatians 5. When we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit–whom God gives to all who accept His Son–God’s Spirit in us enables us to do what we could never do alone. Paul said the Holy Spirit in us produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Paul says, “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” God’s Spirit in us produces God’s character in us. One of those character traits is the capacity to persevere in the face of obstacles. God’s Spirit in us enables us to achieve God’s purpose for us. Even at age 16, Gabby Douglas knows that hard work, exercising the abilities that God gives, and giving Him credit for the results, can bring inner fulfillment beyond description.
