God's Coaching #281

God's Coaching #281

Dylan Galloway’s touchdown didn’t decide the outcome, but nobody at the high school football game will forget his play. Rivercrest was already ahead 47–0 when the Manila High School senior rolled onto the field on October 8, 2010. Yes, rolled. Dylan was born with cerebral palsy, which affects the part of the brain that controls motor skills, so he had spent most of his life in a wheelchair. But that didn’t stop him from wanting to play football or score a touchdown. With time running out and Manila driving the ball to Rivercrest’s four-yard line, coach Toby Doke sent Dylan onto the field. The coach had already worked out a plan with his quarterback and Rivercrest’s coach.

Dylan took a handoff, followed his blockers around the left side of the field, and plowed into the end zone to make the score 47–6. Rivercrest players—part of the top-ranked team in Arkansas at the time—all signed a football that they gave to Dylan.

What’s the Score?

Dylan’s touchdown left a lasting impression on everybody who was at the game. It showed great sportsmanship on both teams. But it also showed that persistence pays off. Coach Doke told reporters after the game that Dylan had made known his wish to score a touchdown. “He had been after me all year in the hall, at lunchtime, and during the school day,” the coach said, “and kept telling me he wanted to score a touchdown.” The Manila High coach rewarded Dylan for his persistence, and God does the same for us.

In Luke 18, Jesus tells a story to his disciples about being persistent. In the story, a widow keeps bugging a bad judge to take care of her case. The judge doesn’t want to do his job, but he finally gives in so the widow will stop bothering him. The point of the parable is that, if a corrupt judge can be persuaded by consistent requests, how much more likely will a kind and loving God answer our requests when we persistently pray to him?

On the Ball

Read the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. What details stand out to you? What are you tempted to give up praying about? Write it down and keep praying:

Coach’s Comment

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. Luke 18:1