God's Coaching #204

God's Coaching #204

Before the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, the US women’s gymnastics team had never won a gold medal. But that changed on this day in 1996, thanks to a courageous performance by Kerri Strug. The four-foot-eleven-inch gymnast stood in the shadow of her more famous teammates Dominique Moceanu, Shannon Miller, and Dominique Dawes for most of the Games. But in the vault, her efforts—and her heart—shone like gold.

The United States entered its final event, the vault, with a .897 lead over Russia, a country that had won the team gold at every Olympics since 1948. Early in the vault, the US team struggled. One girl fell twice and posted a 9.2. Meanwhile, the Russian gymnasts churned out high scores on the floor exercise. Kerri needed a good score. But on her first vault, she landed awkwardly, slipped, fell, and heard a snap in her left ankle. Kerri could barely walk, but when she saw her score of 9.162, she knew she had to go again. Kerri quickly iced her ankle, said a prayer to God, and prepared for her next vault. As best she could, Kerri sprinted down the 75-foot runway, hit the vault, spun, flipped, and landed on two feet! Her ankle cracked with pain. But she managed to smile at the judges before collapsing in agony. Kerri’s coach rushed to the mat and carried her away. Her score flashed on the scoreboard: 9.712. The United States had won the gold!

What’s the Score?

Everybody in the Georgia Dome and watching on TV could feel Kerri’s pain. It was one of the gutsiest performances in Olympic history.

The Bible encourages Christians to feel each other’s pain. Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” There may be times in your life when you’re treated badly because you believe in Jesus. In some countries, Christians are thrown in jail and beat up. God wants us to remember and pray for other believers who are mistreated. Feeling another person’s pain is called empathy. Try to show empathy to people who are hurting, and then figure out something to make them feel better.

On the Ball

Can you think of somebody who’s hurting now? Maybe it’s a friend, a family member, or a teacher. Make a card, bake some cookies, or do something nice for that person to show you care.

Coach’s Comment

Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. Hebrews 13:3