God's Coaching #136

God's Coaching #136

Elena Myers had a need for speed. In May 2010, she became the first female to win a race in the 76 years of American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Pro Racing. She was also only 17.

The AMA Supersport Race One at Infineon Raceway was called short due to a crash, so Elena won because she was leading at that point. But she had battled her way to the front of the pack from her start in the seventh position. Many people doubted the five-foot-three-inch, 116-pound girl could compete with the bigger and stronger men. Some felt she didn’t have the strength to be racing motorcycles. But Elena had been riding for Kawasaki three years before she could even get a driver’s license. What did the guys she raced against think? They respected her and wanted to beat her just like anybody else.

What’s the Score?

Elena broke through stereotypes and earned some respect in the process. Our world is full of stereotypes. Those are usually unfair ways we judge other people. For example, a stereotype is that girls are weaker and no good at motorcycle racing. That’s true of some girls—and some boys—but not of Elena.

God calls us to respect people even before their performance demands it. In 1 Timothy 5:1-2, we’re told to respect all kinds of people regardless of age or gender. The verses include guidance about how to treat both boys and girls: “Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. . . . Treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.”

We should respect and honor people as if they were our family members. The more we show respect like that to others, the more others will respect us.

On the Ball

Show respect for another boy or girl today by saying something nice about him or her in front of other people.

Coach’s Comment

Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters. 1 Timothy 5:1-2