God's Coaching #267

God's Coaching #267

Running a marathon is never easy. A marathon is a 26.2-mile road race that takes even the fastest, most skilled runners more than two hours to complete. It’s a grueling test of speed, physical stamina, and mental toughness. Many people who start a marathon race never even finish. In 1999, Mike Cuzzacrea completed the Casino Niagara International Marathon at Niagara Falls in three hours, two minutes, and 27 seconds. That’s an impressive time . . . especially when you consider that he ran the entire race while continuously flipping a pancake in a frying pan.

Now, you might be thinking to yourself, Why on earth would someone do something so ridiculous? A valid question indeed. But Mike, who is nicknamed “The Pancake Man,” isn’t just some flipped-out flapjack flipper. He runs for good reasons. Mike has run about 30 marathons and raised more than $55,000 for children’s charities such as the March of Dimes, the Ronald McDonald House, and the United Way. He has appeared on TV and flipped pancakes with famous former-heavyweight-boxing champion Muhammad Ali. He’s even carried the Olympic torch.

What’s the Score?

Mike took something that looked foolish to many people and did great things with it. Christians are called to do the same thing. First Corinthians 1 talks about how Christianity sounds ridiculous to the rest of the world. Not many people want to believe that their sins are putting them at risk of spending eternity apart from God when they die. They mock Christians for believing in a Savior who was crucified 2,000 years ago as a sacrifice for their sins.

Yet God, who owns all wisdom and knowledge, calls us to believe exactly that—and to share this great news with other people. God’s plan of salvation might sound silly to some, but what appears to be foolish to others is actually the wisdom of almighty God.

On the Ball

Thank God for the “foolishness” of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and ask for his strength to help you share it with others.

Coach’s Comment

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18