Downhill Skiing

DOWNHILL SKIING and cross-country skiing are such different sports that they almost shouldn’t share the word ski. Sure, both activities require athletes to strap skis on their feet. But downhill allows competitors to ride up the mountain on comfortable lifts or gondolas, while cross-country athletes must power and glide their way up hills and across flat meadows for great distances. Downhill skiers gracefully glide down the slopes. Cross-country skiers grind their way over obstacles.

Cross-country skiing, also called Nordic skiing, is arguably one of the most aerobically challenging sports on the planet. Using both upper and lower body strength, Nordic skiers have to work for every inch of ground they cover—and they can traverse some pretty serious territory.

In 1988, Seppo-Juhani Savolainen covered more than 258 miles on cross-country skis in 24 hours. The Finnish skier took to the country near Sarriselk, Finland, and ended up somewhere in Hawaii (just kidding!) after his record-breaking effort.

EXTRA < < < < < < < < < < < < < <

POINT Seppo-Juhani Savolainen worked tirelessly to set his world record in Nordic skiing. By consistently planting his poles and pushing with his skis, Savolainen skied farther than the distance between New York and Baltimore. He stayed on a level path and endured to the end.

In life, we may know people for whom every activity is a downhill ski race. They float to the top of a mountain only to come crashing down. Everything turns to tragedy or triumph. Their life is filled with peaks and valleys. They rarely walk on level ground. But God doesn’t want our life to be that way. He desires that we glide through life on a level path. There will still be some ups and downs and we’ll still have to work hard to succeed—like in Nordic skiing—but he’ll make our paths smooth.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah praises people who follow God’s path. They live a consistent, level life just as God planned.

GOAL! Study successful sports stars. Note that their wins usually flow from consistency. Pray for God to give you consistency in your Christian life.