God's Coaching #20

God's Coaching #20

Figure skaters make jumping and spinning on a quarter-inch-thick metal blade look effortless. And nobody did it better than Michelle Kwan. Michelle has won more figure-skating titles than anybody in US history. But her first title came on this day in 1996 as she claimed the US Figure Skating Championship in San Jose, California.

Just 15 years old at the time, Michelle skated a nearly flawless long program to win the title. She started the routine with a triple lutz, double toe-loop jump combination. Michelle landed all her triple jumps and showed her artistry with beautiful spiral sequences and blurring spins. Her only mistake came at the end of the program as she did a single axel instead of a double. When the music ended, Michelle laughed at her error and bowed to the adoring crowd. Her scores of mainly 5.8 in the technical areas and 5.9 in presentation easily earned her the championship.

What’s the Score?

During her skating career, Michelle won 42 championships, including nine US titles and five world championships. Her smile, work ethic, and athleticism were characteristics that young skaters around the world wanted to emulate. But the attribute that most came to mind when people talked about Michelle was grace. She was graceful on the ice and demonstrated grace off the ice as well.

Grace is a key word when it comes to our Christian faith. Instead of giving us what we deserve for all our sins, God showed us grace by sending Jesus to earth to pay the penalty. Titus 3:7 reminds us, “Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”

Some people remember what grace means by using this acronym: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. We get to experience the kingdom of heaven even though we deserve hell. There’s nothing we could ever do to earn God’s grace, but he gives it to us freely. We can be confident that we’ll live forever with him.

On the Ball

Memorize this acronym for grace: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Remember to thank God for the grace he shows us every day even though we sin. Grace really is an amazing gift.

Coach’s Comment

Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Titus 3:7