God's Coaching #236

God's Coaching #236

Allyson Felix had big dreams heading toward the Beijing Olympics in 2008. She wanted to win gold medals running in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400-meter relay, and the 1,600-meter relay. But things didn’t go as she planned. First, Allyson narrowly missed qualifying for the 100 meters at the US Olympic Trials, so that race was out and so was the 400-meter relay. At least she still had her specialty, the 200 meters. Allyson had won silver in that race at the 2004 Olympics in Greece. She was the reigning world champion and the clear favorite at the distance. But on race day, Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell Brown finished first. Allyson was second. The 22-year-old American went home with one gold from her only other race, the 1,600-meter relay. But losing the 200 stung.

Allyson was disappointed, but she stayed gracious. One reason that made it easier for her to stay positive was Allyson had made it clear she was running for God’s glory—whether she won or lost. She saw her speed as a gift from God. She welcomed her attention as a world-class runner so she could point others to her Savior. “Whatever I can do to bring someone to him, whether it’s through my actions or if I’m able to say something to affect someone, I realize that’s what he’s given me this gift for,” she said.

What’s the Score?

The eyes of the world were on Allyson. She knew about “a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith,” both on the track and in everyday life. And she was determined to “run with endurance the race God has set before [her]” (Hebrews 12:1).

God wants us to do the same. We won’t win every race, but we can still keep trying and giving it our best. We should train our spirits to follow Christ, just like Allyson trains her body on the track. Don’t let anything slow you down. Get rid of sin or bad influences that hold you back. Let the support and cheers of Christians around you give you a boost, and keep going for God!

On the Ball

Is there anything holding you back in God’s race? Doubt? Fear? Laziness? Write it down. Then determine to overcome it and run with endurance.

Coach’s Comment

Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1