God's Coaching #203

God's Coaching #203

Lance Armstrong only had a 50 percent chance of living. In 1996, doctors discovered Lance had cancer that had traveled to his lungs, abdomen, and brain. He had 12 tumors, some golf-ball sized, in his abdomen and two lesions on his brain. It appeared as if the career—and possibly the life—of one of the most promising American cyclists was over. Lance went through two surgeries, four rounds of chemotherapy, and numerous radiation treatments. Amazingly, by the summer of 1997, he was cancer free!

Lance started training with renewed dedication. In July 1999, he accomplished something that nobody thought was possible. He won the Tour de France, the biggest bike race in the world. The Tour de France takes 22 days, twists through super-steep mountain ranges, and covers more than 2,000 miles. Lance took the lead for good on July 13 as he pounded his way up the Alps. He continued to win stage after stage in the mountains, proving he was one of the best hill climbers in the world. When Lance rode into Paris near the end of the month, nobody could catch him. More than 500,000 people watched Lance win his first Tour de France.

What’s the Score?

After winning the Tour de France, Lance told reporters that his determination to do well was fueled by a desire to show cancer patients that anything is possible.

As Christians we know that all things are possible through Christ. There are countless stories in the Bible of Jesus healing somebody. But God is more concerned about our eternal souls than our physical bodies. In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet says, “O LORD, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved” (17:14). God wants to heal our bodies and save our souls. If you think about it, our time on earth is pretty short. Even if we live 90 years, that’s nothing compared to an eternity in heaven. So when you’re sick or when somebody you love is fighting a disease, pray to God for his miraculous healing. At the same time, pray to be closer to Jesus and more dedicated to following him.

On the Ball

No matter what happens, trust God. We can’t always explain why things happen, such as illnesses or other difficulties. But God has a plan. And like Jeremiah says . . . our praises should be for God alone!

Coach’s Comment

O LORD, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone! Jeremiah 17:14