In 2018, for the first time in 20 years, the U.S. women’s hockey team earned a gold medal. Now, I’m a sap for just about any gold medal ceremony—and have been since my childhood heroes Mary Lou Retton and Dan Jansen stood on that platform. But as the women’s hockey team put their arms around each other and loudly sang the national anthem, I realized just how much more fun teams seem to have on the podium than those who stand by themselves.

Then I realized that this is what life as a Christian is like. Well, should be like. 

Sometimes life feels like a grind as you slog through your daily chores, kind of like the hours of training you never see Olympians put in. But you aren’t alone. You are on a team, a team that prays for you, holds you accountable, listens to your confession, brings you meals when you’re sick, hurts when you hurt, and celebrates with you in the good times. 

Your team of fellow Christians is even better than an Olympic team because Jesus has already won the gold medal for us. Now, thanks to faith in him, we know that “there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

That will be the best gold medal ceremony ever.