God's Coaching #123

God's Coaching #123

Ever try bowling with your eyes closed? Dale Davis didn’t have to imagine what it would be like. He was blind, but he loved to bowl. On this day in 2008, the 78-year-old achieved bowling perfection by throwing 12 strikes in a row. Even though he couldn’t see the pins fall, he heard and enjoyed every crash and tumble.

Dale lost his eyesight to the eye disorder macular degeneration. He had been a good bowler before but understandably gave up the sport when he couldn’t see anymore. His sister convinced him to try again, and he fell in love with the game once more. Dale had a small sliver of peripheral vision in the corner of his right eye. To bowl, he turned his head to find the big dot on the floor. He lined up, took four steps, released the ball, and listened. By his 10th frame on May 3, everyone in the bowling alley was gathered around to watch and cheer for Dale. Everybody went crazy when his ball hit the pins. They celebrated not only a perfect game, but the courage, commitment, and blind faith of the man who had achieved it. Even with all the celebrating, Dale had no trouble hearing that he’d hit the last strike.

What’s the Score?

Sometimes we can have trouble trusting in things we can’t see. But that’s what we have to do with Jesus. First Peter 1:8 says, “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” We may not be able to see God, but we know that he’s there.

For now, we catch glimpses of God at work out of the corner of our eye, kind of like Dale. We have to rely on our other senses and faith to see and hear God. Of course, we can hear God in his Word and feel his Spirit move in us. But we can also know that our faith won’t always be blind. Someday we’ll see God with perfect vision, and everything will be clear.

On the Ball

Do something blindfolded, maybe something you’re already good at. Concentrate on using your other senses. And remind yourself how clear God will make everything someday.

Coach’s Comment

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 1 Peter 1:8