God's Coaching #128

God's Coaching #128

Does being lost in the Amazon jungle sound like fun? Ed Stafford wasn’t exactly lost, but the former British army captain spent a couple of years sleeping in mosquito-covered hammocks and eating piranhas and smoked turtle. If anything had gone wrong, he would have died without any hope of rescue. And Ed loved it!

Ed did some searching on the Internet and found that no one had ever walked the length of the Amazon River from source to sea. People told him it was impossible, but that just made Ed want to do it more. He started in 2008 with a friend, but his friend quit after three months. A Peruvian man named Gadiel “Cho” Sanchez Rivera agreed to walk Ed through the Red Zone, a dangerous area notorious for drug trafficking and terrorism. The pair ran into some scary situations, but Cho enjoyed his time with Ed. Cho agreed to walk a few more days, and he kept walking the rest of the Amazon with Ed.

The trust between the two transformed the trek. Without Cho’s knowledge of the jungle and surrounding cultures, Ed probably wouldn’t have made it. Almost two and a half years and 4,000 miles later, the two men reached the end of the Amazon River.

What’s the Score?

A challenge that feels like a jungle can arise in our lives. When we feel unsure of what to do next, we can take a lesson from Ed. The best way to survive is to surround ourselves with people who have the experience, knowledge, and wisdom to help.

Moses learned that strategy. In a battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites, Moses went to a hillside overlooking the battle. When he held up his arms, the Israelites dominated. When he let his arms down, they began losing ground. Moses knew he couldn’t do it alone. When Moses got so tired he could no longer hold up his arms, Aaron and Hur helped. “They stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset” (Exodus 17:12). Moses found strength in his friends, and you can do the same.

On the Ball

Who holds up your arms when you are tired or lost in life’s jungles? Write those people a note or a message today to say thanks. Then hold up someone else’s arms when he or she needs support or encouragement.

Coach’s Comment

Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. Exodus 17:12