God's Coaching #13

God's Coaching #13

The yo-yo is the second oldest toy in the world. Experts believe only the doll was invented first. Before Jesus walked the earth as a child, kids had been playing with yo-yos. But perhaps in all of recorded history there has never been a more gifted “yo-yo-er” than Ben McPhee. In 2010, this talented Australian set a Guinness World Record by keeping 16 yo-yos spinning at the same time!

Ben managed this amazing feat at the London Annual Toy Fair. The old record was nine yo-yos, so Ben nearly doubled the mark. He had yo-yos hanging from hooks, spinning from his fingers, even dangling from his ears and teeth. One of the yo-yo strings actually got caught between his teeth and flossed out an old piece of meat. Just kidding.

What’s the Score?

The yo-yo may be an old toy, but some things haven’t changed. You must still learn the fundamentals to make it work. Yo-yoing takes discipline to master. You have to flick your wrist just right and release the yo-yo at the correct angle. The string must be wound properly. Each twitch of a finger can cause it to do something different. Like any skill, to be a yo-yo master, you have to be disciplined.

Just as Ben practiced for countless hours before setting a yo-yo record, we have to put in a lot of time to be leaders in our Christian faith. The book of Titus describes what a leader in the church should look like. It says he shouldn’t get angry easily and that he should share what he has with others. The apostle Paul also writes that a Christian leader should “live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life” (Titus 1:8). Being disciplined is important to God.

On the Ball

What do you think it means to live a disciplined life? Basically, it means you think before you act and don’t let any bad habits control you. Do you have any bad habits? Everybody does. The key is controlling them and not letting them rule your life. Pray to God to help you be disciplined and overcome your bad habits.

Coach’s Comment

He must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. Titus 1:8