God's Coaching #243

God's Coaching #243

If Bob Burnquist was going to do a 900, he was going to do it differently. Four other people in the world—all friends of his—had already perfected a trick that required the skateboarder to spin two and a half times on a skateboard. But different has always been Bob’s style. So at the end of the summer in 2010, the Brazilian-American pro skateboarder did the world’s first 900 on a MegaRamp, fakie to fakie. (Translation: Bob rode down the 180-foot-long supersized ramp and flew over a 70-foot gap of open space with a giant trapeze net below. Then he landed on and slid down a curved rail and shot onto a lower ramp. He landed backward, rolled up, and flew straight up a 25-foot quarterpipe wall. As he launched above its edge, Bob spun the 900, reaching about 40 feet above the ground, and landed backwards.) Impressive.

Oh, and Bob did this in his backyard. He owns the world’s only permanent Mega Ramp. Skaters from all over the world can try it or practice on it, if they’re brave enough. Skateboarding has always respected innovation. If there was any doubt, Bob sealed his legacy as a skater willing to reach new heights by taking different paths.

What’s the Score?

It’s much easier to go with the crowd and do what everyone else is doing. But Jesus calls us to live differently. The world wants us to cruise down its wide, comfortable road. It promises feel-good fun, parties, and riches—but it all ends in pain and destruction. Jesus said, “The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult” (Matthew 7:14). There won’t be as many people on it, so it could be lonely sometimes. But the end reward is life with God that will go beyond what you can imagine.

The next time you feel like you’re the only one not going with the crowd, look past the here and now. Focus on God’s future payoff, and know that Jesus is with you on the narrow road.

On the Ball

What are the people around you doing that you know is wrong in God’s eyes? Draw a picture of how God sees those activities.

Coach’s Comment

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14