God's Coaching #310

God's Coaching #310

Most young athletes dream of winning a world championship. Holding a trophy overhead—just once—would be an incredible feeling. And then there’s Kelly Slater. The pro surfer claimed his 10th world title on November 6, 2010! That’s more championships than Michael Jordan or Lance Armstrong ever won. Following the victory, Kelly held the record for the youngest and oldest person to win an Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) world championship. He claimed his first as a 20-year-old in 1992 and his 10th when he was 38. And he won more world ASP contests than anyone else.

That’s impressive enough, but think about this: surfing advanced quite a bit in the 20 years after Kelly turned pro in 1990. You’ve seen crazy skateboarding and snowboarding tricks, right? Surfing is similar. Wave riders constantly create harder and higher tricks—finding new intense ways to ride the waves. Kelly helped to launch a new style of surfing when he turned pro as an 18-year-old—and he kept his progressive edge for more than 20 years.

What’s the Score?

It takes a lot of commitment to stay at the top of a sport for two decades. It also takes a lot of love for what you do. Kelly Slater loves surfing, but in 1999 he unexpectedly retired after winning the ASP championship five years in a row. After resting and recharging his batteries, Kelly returned to competition in 2001 and claimed titles in 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010.

Even a game or activity you love can get tiring sometimes. That’s part of the reason God tells us to take a break with a Sabbath rest. The fourth commandment in Exodus 20:8-11 talks about setting apart a special day to honor God and rest. God even rested for a day after creating the universe (Genesis 2:2-3). He knows we need a spiritual rest so we can worship him and renew our spiritual batteries. Taking a day off each week helps us keep our priorities straight so we can get back to honoring God in whatever game or activity we love to do.

On the Ball

Take a break. It doesn’t have to be Sunday, but it’s a good choice if your family already worships at church that day. Get any homework or sports and music practice done ahead of time so you can relax with your family and God.

Coach’s Comment

On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. Genesis 2:2-3