God's Coaching #135

God's Coaching #135

Sydney Harbor looked like it was ready to celebrate one of Australia’s biggest holidays. Boats packed the waters, and tens of thousands of people lined the shores. But this wasn’t New Year’s Eve or Australia Day. These crowds were gathered on this day in 2010 to cheer the arrival of 16-year-old Jessica Watson. Why? Because she was the youngest person ever to sail all the way around the world without assistance.

Jessica’s journey aboard her sailboat, Ella’s Pink Lady, lasted seven months and carried her 24,000 nautical miles. During that time, she had to deal with not sleeping very much and being completely alone. Even worse, she had to overcome mountainous waves and fierce storms. Jessica’s boat was knocked over six times, and its mast was dunked underwater once. One particularly bad storm near the southern tip of South America brought 30-foot waves and 80-mile-per-hour winds.

But no matter how scary the situation, Jessica sailed on. When she made it safely back to Australia, she was praised for her courage. “When I was young, I was pretty much afraid of everything,” Jessica wrote in True Spirit, her book about the adventure. Clearly, she had come a long way—even farther than around the world.

What’s the Score?

We often call people heroes when they demonstrate courage, especially in the face of danger. People called Jessica Watson a hero, but she disagreed, saying she was “just an ordinary girl who had a dream, worked hard at it, and proved that anything is possible.”

Most “ordinary heroes” tell us they get scared but simply do the right thing anyway. God knows that it’s normal for us to be afraid, but he has promised to always be with us. His Spirit helps us, gives us the peace to remain calm, and strengthens us to act bravely and obediently even when the storms of life are raging.

On the Ball

What is your biggest fear? No matter what it is, always remember: God is even bigger!

Coach’s Comment

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27