Swimming Against the Current: Fighting for Common Sense in a World That’s Lost its Mind

by Riley Gaines

 

 

Riley Gaines

Her podcast Gaines for Girls

Ambassador for XX-XY Athletics

 

I had to put myself in her shoes.
I had to imagine the unspeakable discomfort and tension she was feeling. Her rights were being stripped away in front of her (and the swim team) with no warning or respect.
The unexpected presence of a biological male changing in front of young women sent shock waves and confusion through the changeroom. Only the agenda of not only this male, but everyone else feeding him with the lie he can do what he wants when he wants while demonstrating no concern for the group of women in their most private moments changing in and out of their swimwear multiple times fully exposed to unwanted eyes.

Unacceptable
Unfortunate
Unnecessary
Unruly
Unreal
Yet, it is real.

This is not the only case, and until we act, it won’t be the last.

Riley Gaines, a hero of women’s sports, in her best-selling book, Swimming Against the Current: Fighting for Common Sense in a World That’s Lost its Mind, unveils the tremendously hurtful impact on women and girls from the lie that men pretending to be women and invading washrooms, changerooms and the sports arena is somehow ok, it is not.
Women are not men, and men are not women. That is a biological truth.
The mass confusion surrounding our gender is spiraling out of control, and women and young girls are paying the price.
Violating
Disturbing
These are strong words worthy of use here. Women and young girls are losing their place in the world of sports. Who is standing up for the next generation?
Riley Gaines.
She is, among others, standing boldly for truth.

What did I gain through her best-selling book?

Courage to speak the truth.
Courage to face reality when feelings and lies have consumed reality.
Courage to stand for those who can’t.
Courage to be full of grace and love and let the truth permeate because we know where truth, grace and love originated- Jesus.

Pulling quotes can be challenging when there are so many solid ones. I have chosen a few that confidently and courageously share the core of this book and Riley’s incredible character. She is bold, courageous, candid and ridiculously spot-on! Her faith aligns with the Word of God.
Listen in,

“Above all else, speak the truth. It is liberating to do so. When you finally realize you don’t have to adhere to the coercion and fear tactics used by authority figures, your internal pressure, and the guidelines created by those pushing a perverse narrative, you will feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. This is a winning issue. It is a winning issue because it is the truth – the truth of our biology, the truth of how we were formed by our infinitely wise, loving, and compassionate Creator- in His image, for His glory…But the beautiful thing is we already know who wins – the Bible tells us. Unfortunately, it doesn’t tell us how long we have to endure these times, but we know the outcome. This truth keeps me grounded, motivated, and unshakeable in the face of backlash. I feel called to spread His message up truth, Grace, and love and how these virtues work in balance with one another” (Gaines, 227)

 

We are called as believers to speak the truth in love, pray and be prepared to share the good news of Jesus Christ, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

All the broken things in the world are a result of sin. I am deeply saddened that confusion clouds minds and lies take over for truth. God made you, loves you, and has a beautiful plan for your life! I fully believe that truth, and I pray you do, too.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Psalm 51:45

 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

THERE IS HOPE

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

THERE IS GRACE

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—  and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:4-10

 

My prayer is that people know they are worthy because of what Christ has done on the cross—defeating death and sin forever! We are created in God’s image on purpose. There are no mistakes. When we trust in God, we become a new creation!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17

 

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

After you close the book (which means you need to order it—it’s a bestseller!), you will be inspired by her bravery.

I love what XX-XY Athletics says about Riley, 

“Perhaps no other female athlete has demonstrated more bravery than Riley Gaines, who made waves after speaking out after tying University of Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas, a biological male swimmer. When no one else spoke up, Riley did. And she has been tirelessly standing up for the protection of women’s sports and spaces ever since. Inarguably, her advocacy has made her an icon for women’s rights and the face of the movement.”

Lastly from Riley, 

“Being brave doesn’t mean not having fear, but rather overcoming that fear to do the right, just and moral thing.” (Riley Gaines)

 

Gaines, Riley, and A. J. Gregory. Swimming against the Current: Fighting for Common Sense in a World That’s Lost Its Mind. Center Street, 2024.

 

Check out this interview with Allie Beth Stuckey and Payton McNabb-  a very sad story about an irreversible brain injury Payton endured during a volleyball game playing against a biological male that has altered her life. Listen in and be challenged by her strength and courage. 

“Courage is Contagious”

– Allie Beth Stuckey