God's Coaching #294

God's Coaching #294

Everything in Mexico City is big. Amazing Aztec ruins. The largest bullfighting ring in the world. A gigantic population—some record books rank it as the third-largest city in the world, with over 20 million people. And chess. That’s right, chess is huge in Mexico City. In fact in 2006, nearly 27,000 people gathered in El Zócalo, the city square, to play chess. The result was 13,446 games of chess being played at the same time at the same location, which set a Guinness World Record.

The gathering of chess players was so large that it could be seen from space. In addition to recreational players, several of the world’s best players showed up to take part in the event.

What’s the Score?

To be a great chess player, experts say you must think at least three moves ahead. That means you have to imagine all the options that your opponent has and think how you would react to those moves. World chess champion Garry Kasparov said he usually thinks three to five moves ahead during a match. However, if the situation arises, Garry said he can think 12 to 14 moves ahead. Garry, a chess grand master, was at the Mexico City event.

Planning ahead is key to success in chess and in life. Of course, you can’t always predict what’s going to happen in life. Things happen that are outside of your control. Unexpected things always seem to pop up. In chess, the pieces can only move in certain ways. In life, many more variables exist. You can’t always plan to have success.

The Bible says that, if you want to succeed, you should commit your actions to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3). When you honor God with your words, actions, and plans, he can help you be a success.

On the Ball

Do you always commit your actions to the Lord? How can you commit what you do to him? Write down some ideas:

When you make your plans, plan first to have your actions always honor God.

Coach’s Comment

Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3