God's Coaching #207

God's Coaching #207

David de Rothschild dreamed of crossing the Pacific Ocean in a boat made entirely out of plastic bottles. No kidding. Although most people thought it was a joke, especially after early versions of the ship kept breaking, David kept his dream alive. And on this day in 2010, David and his crew sailed into Sydney Harbor—completing their amazing 9,500-mile journey onboard a 60-foot ship named Plastiki.

It took four years to perfect the technique of holding the plastic bottles together to form the ship’s hull. In the Plastiki, a boat made from 12,500 plastic bottles, David set sail from San Francisco in April. For four months he and his crew battled tough seas and uncomfortable conditions. David said the plastic bottles made a ton of noise as they sailed over ocean waves. “It was 100 degrees in [the cabin]—a plastic sweat lodge,” David told reporters. “The creaking and slamming and banging was like trying to fall asleep on the side of a highway.” All the sound did have a benefit, however. It attracted a lot of dolphins and whales that swam up to see what all the noise was about.

What’s the Score?

David had a greater purpose behind his ocean journey than just achieving something amazing . . . and a little strange. He wanted to encourage people to stop polluting the world’s oceans.

The Bible tells us that God gave life to everything (Nehemiah 9:6). He made the earth, every animal that walks on it, and every creature that swims in its seas. And when God created humans, he put us in charge (Genesis 1:26). He expects us to take care of his creation. That means we shouldn’t abuse the planet. To be good stewards of God’s creation, we can conserve its resources by taking shorter showers and make it more beautiful by not littering. By treating God’s planet with care, we show him our appreciation for making such a wonderful world.

On the Ball

What can you do in your area to be a good steward of God’s creation? Maybe you could get a group of friends to pick up trash or start a recycling program at your school. Write down an idea or two:

1.

2.

Coach’s Comment

You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything. Nehemiah 9:6 (NIV)