God's Coaching #235

God's Coaching #235

Brazilians have a reputation for being the best soccer players in the world. Even blind Brazilian players have mastered the “beautiful game.” Yes, you read that correctly. Brazil won the World Blind Football Championship on this day in 2010. They held a tough squad from Spain scoreless to win 2–0.

Having a hard time believing there’s such a thing as blind soccer? It’s pretty amazing. Five players from each team play at a time. They all wear blindfolds to make sure everyone’s vision is completely blocked. (Some of the legally blind players have a little bit of vision.) Only goalkeepers are allowed to have sight, but they still get scored on. That’s because these players are good! These blind athletes show fantastic footwork as they dribble down the field.

But how do they know where the ball is? Crowds have to stay silent except after goals. Players listen for ball bearings rattling inside the soccer ball to know where to run. Each team also has a coach who stands behind the goal to shout instructions to the players. You could say these amazing players keep their “ears” on the ball, not their eyes.

What’s the Score?

Do you think about what you want to do when you grow up? There are a lot of options. Even deciding which sport to play or if you want to try out for the school play can be hard. Do you get confused about what’s right or wrong? In Isaiah 30, God promised his people, “Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.” He was promising to help and guide his people. In a lot of ways, God’s Spirit is just like the coach of the blind soccer team who can see the whole field and tell his players which way to go.

Our job, just like the soccer players’ job, is to listen for that voice. God usually won’t speak to us out loud, but his Spirit guides our conscience. He also uses the Bible and wise people like our parents to direct us with trustworthy advice. Turn to those sources for help when you’re confused or questioning, and sharpen your spiritual ears to hear your heavenly Coach.

On the Ball

Ask your parents or church leaders about a time when God helped them make an important decision.

Coach’s Comment

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21