You May Not Recognize

YOU MAY NOT RECOGNIZE Steve Cook’s name. But no other American Olympian won more medals during 2002 than Cook. At the 2002 Paralympics in Salt Lake City, Cook skied away with four silver medals in cross-country—not bad for a guy with one and a half legs.

Cook lost the lower part of his right leg in a farming accident in Montana when he was 17. But instead of feeling sorry for himself, he became even more determined to do something exceptional with his life. He made the U.S. Paralympic cycling team and competed in the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, where he placed in the top ten. Cook improved at the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, as he took fifth in the 10K cross-country event.

But in 2002, Cook showed that hard work, determination, and humility can overcome any obstacle. Skiing for the United States in his hometown of Salt Lake City, Cook claimed silver in the 5K, 10K, 20K, and the 12.5K relay. That’s a long way to ski for anybody, let alone for a guy who lost part of his leg.

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POINT After his amazing performance in the 2002 Paralympics, Steve Cook wasn’t plastered across billboards or doing television interviews. Instead he went back to work at a bike shop. And that’s okay with him—Cook’s not looking for fame. He just wants to be an example to others. Cook, who wasn’t much of an athlete before his accident, hopes his medals encourage other people with disabilities to get involved in sports. Plus, he wants the U.S. cross-country ski team to see that it’s possible to beat Norwegians and Russians in a sport those countries have dominated for years.

With determination, Steve overcame his injury. And our heavenly Father wants us to overcome any obstacle we might face in life. In the New Testament, the apostle John wrote that if we believe Jesus is the Son of God, we can overcome the world’s challenges.

GOAL! Do the world’s pressures ever feel like a 40-foot-thick brick wall? God doesn’t want you to give up or give in. By believing in his Son, you can overcome anything. Just try it!