In competitive rowing, there is a special moment that few teams are able to achieve: all rowers in perfect unison. Every blade cuts into the water in unison with barely a ripple, and all the oars move in perfect synchronization. The crew becomes as one. In this state, as the boat glides fluidly across the surface of the water, they have achieved swing.

Some describe swing as like flying, where full exertion feels effortless and infinitely sustainable.

In a coxed eight crew, each individual has a specific job. The “bow oarsman” sits in seat one; he needs to be strong and technically proficient. Seats two and three should be similar in strength but can follow the proficiency of seat one. Seats four, five and six form the engine room. These individuals are typically the strongest and provide the real speed of the boat. Seat seven is a combination of the others, but with an emphasis on knowing what is happening with the entire boat. The “stroke oar” takes seat eight toward the stern; face to face with the coxswain, who sets the stroke tempo. The coxswain, whose role is like a quarterback or a coach, faces the opposite direction as the eight rowers.

Crews have a mix of personalities. This variety adds to the cohesion of a team. One rower might start strong out of the gate, while another holds his energy in reserve. Some are louder; some softer-spoken.

When all oars are working in perfect unison, that is when the swing happens. “It only happens when all eight oarsmen are rowing in such perfect unison that no single action by any one is out of sync with those of all the others,” wrote Daniel Brown. “Each minute action—each subtle turning of wrists—must be mirrored exactly by each oarsman, from one end of the boat to the other. … Only then will it feel as if the boat is a part of each of them, moving as if on its own. Only then does pain entirely give way to exultation. Rowing then becomes a kind of perfect language. Poetry, that’s what a good swing feels like” (The Boys in the Boat).

Swing does not occur by happenstance; it takes hours of training. Many rowers are never able to achieve it.

There is a lesson here for our Christian life. We train every day, endeavoring to synchronize with Jesus Christ. In many ways He is our coxswain. He sees the course; He sets the pace. Total trust in Him and His government leads to perfect unity in the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:15-16). Our job is to keep our eyes on our Head and to follow. The moment we take our eyes off Christ, we lose unity and we encumber the crew.

God’s Work is accomplished by a team. We cannot achieve swing on our own. It can only be achieved through collective, unified effort. Wherever you are put in the boat, work with all your might, together with those around you, and follow Christ’s directions to the finish line.