God's Coaching #224

God's Coaching #224

Dave Wiens had won Colorado’s Leadville 100 mountain-bike race five times. That was before Lance Armstrong came to ride in 2008. Yes, that Lance Armstrong . . . the guy who won seven straight Tour de France races. Dave was a retired pro mountain biker, but it looked like his Leadville reign was over.

The Leadville 100 is intense. It’s 100 miles on rugged mountain trails. Known as the “Race Across the Sky,” it starts at 10,200 feet above sea level and rises to 12,600 feet—the highest elevation race in the United States. Air that high has less oxygen. If you lived in Florida and tried to run a 100-yard sprint at that elevation, you would be sucking wind like an industrial vacuum cleaner. Dave and Lance led the race together for about 90 miles. Finally, Dave pushed ahead and crossed the finish line first with a new record: a little under seven hours. Lance came in second almost two minutes later. So did Dave spike his bike and taunt the legendary pro? Not a chance. He credited Lance for a great race and acknowledged that he never could have set a new record without Lance’s pushing him.

What’s the Score?

Dave was obviously an incredible biker. Winning the Leadville 100 six times shows dominance. But Dave didn’t have a big head, even when he beat the world’s greatest cyclist. He respected Lance, and Dave knew that if Lance had been in peak condition he couldn’t have defeated him. Dave’s humility and honesty only made the win more satisfying.

The Bible tells us to have a similar attitude. Romans 12:3 says, “Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves.” That kind of attitude starts with realizing that everything we have comes from God and with being thankful for all the help he gives us. A thankful, humble attitude also reminds us that God loves us no matter what—when we succeed fantastically or fail miserably. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Be thankful for what you’re good at and hopeful about what you’re not.

On the Ball

Grab a piece of paper and make a list with two columns: 1. Things I’m Good At; and 2. Things I’m Not So Good At. Thank God for each strength, and ask him for help with each weakness.

Coach’s Comment

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Romans 12:3