When Most People Think

WHEN MOST PEOPLE THINK skateboarding, they think of Tony Hawk or Andy Macdonald. But don’t be surprised if eventually the first name that will pop into a person’s head is Ryan Sheckler.

Sheckler, the youngest competitor at the 2003 Gravity Games, surprised everybody—including three-time reigning champ Eric Koston—when he brought home the gold . . . and a check for $23,000. That’ll buy a lot of video games and candy for the 13-year-old. Of course, he’d better stay away from the sticky stuff, because it’ll ruin the work of his braces.

Out of the gate, it was obvious that it was Sheckler’s day. The teen sensation led after the first round and never relinquished the lead. In fact, he just kept building on it. In his third and final run, Ryan coolly busted off a backside lipslide to a kickflip 180 alley-oop. Plus, he soared on a couple of lofty transfers over the midsection.

Koston, a pregame favorite, had to settle for fourth. Veteran competitor Rick McCrank, who’s 14 years older than Sheckler, took second. And Chris Senn, the oldest skater in the competition, finished third.

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

POINT Athletes just seem to get better at a younger age these days. Ryan Sheckler was less than half the age of many of his competitors, but he performed like a veteran under pressure. His focused concentration and fluid combinations impressed the judges and the crowd as he brought home the gold.

In God’s eyes, age doesn’t matter. He looks at the heart. He cares about our spiritual maturity, not how many candles we blew out on our last birthday cake. Have you noticed how some teens make better decisions and act more maturely than some adults? It’s true. You can be a gold-medal performer for God right now. Why wait?

GOAL! Some teens use their age as an excuse to make poor decisions or to act wild. Commit to acting older than your age. Dedicate yourself to being a mature Christian and having a heart for God. Ask him to help you.