God's Coaching #254

God's Coaching #254

Warning: Trying to pronounce the names in today’s devotional could be hazardous to your health. On September 11, 2010, in a matchup featuring players with tongue-twisting names, Belgium’s Kim Clijsters defeated Russia’s Vera Zvonareva, 6–2, 6–1, to win the 2010 US Open. Kim’s two-set victory was the most lopsided US Open women’s final since 1976.

Amazingly, Kim didn’t play competitive tennis at all in 2008, making her achievements as hard to explain as the pronunciation of her name. It was like she had never left. In August 2003, at the young age of 20, Kim reached the world’s No. 1 ranking. She won her first Grand Slam event, the US Open, two years later. In 2007, she got married and retired from tennis as she prepared for the birth of her first child in February 2008.

Many elite female athletes never reach their previous level of competitiveness—if they come back at all—after having a baby. But Kim returned to the WTA Tour in 2009 and won her second US Open that season. Two years later, Kim won the 2011 Australian Open, her fourth major championship.

What’s the Score?

Do you ever feel as if God has taken a break from his job, like Kim did from hers? As if he has deserted you and can’t be found? As if he’s not watching over you or taking care of you anymore?

Sometimes in life we might ask, “Where’s God?” We might feel all alone. But we never are. If we don’t feel like God is around, we’re just not looking for him. The Bible says God exists everywhere and all the time. There’s nothing he can’t see or doesn’t know. There’s nothing that escapes his notice, including you. The Bible also says God loves you more than you can understand. Christians are never alone. The all-knowing, all-present God of the universe will always be near his children. What a wonderful truth!

On the Ball

Read Psalm 139, paying careful attention to what it says about God’s nearness.

Coach’s Comment

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:8