God's Coaching #233

God's Coaching #233

Surfing can be peaceful, but it can also create peace. Just look at Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz. This 80-something-year-old founded Surfing for Peace to unite surfers in the Middle East. Doc loves the sport of surfing. Although he lived in the United States, he has been credited with introducing surfing to Israel. The retired doctor first visited the Holy Land in the 1950s and has taken trips and surfed there ever since.

On this day in 2007, Doc went on a surf mission trip to the Middle East. He and world-champion surfer Kelly Slater brought 14 surfboards to a fortresslike border crossing between Israel and the Palestinian city of Gaza. Gaza was a place where Israelis and Palestinians constantly fought. The Israeli guards didn’t want to open the gates and barriers for Doc and his friends. It took five hours of persuading before the surfers were allowed through. Finally, Doc walked through the barricades and he and his friends handed the boards and the shirts off their backs to a group of grateful Palestinian surfers on the other side. It was one small gesture with big significance. Doc hoped the boards would create more surfers who could unite with their enemies over their love for waves.

What’s the Score?

There are plenty of conflicts in the world. They happen between nations, tribes, families, and schools. They probably even happen in your class. The Bible records a lot of fighting in the Old Testament. But Jesus brought a different approach in the New Testament. He taught us to live in peace. He said that people who work for peace will be called God’s children (Matthew 5:9). And James said, “Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18).

Sometimes we think of peace as being wimpy. Wrong. Creating peace takes hard work. It’s hard to forgive when we get mad and want revenge. It takes courage to get in the middle and keep others from fighting—or to stand up for someone against a bully. It shows wisdom to not pick a fight with your sister, even if she has wronged you. Making peace is often braver than making war. And it’s following Jesus’ way.

On the Ball

Choose to take a peacemaking action toward the person you fight with most. I’m going to ____________________________________ for ___________________________________________.

Coach’s Comment

Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18