God's Coaching #324

God's Coaching #324

The goal wasn’t a thing of beauty, but it was beautiful for Colorado Rapids fans. Trailing FC Dallas 1–0 in the 2010 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup finals, the Rapids’ Jamie Smith broke free on the left wing and played a beautiful rolling pass toward the near goalpost. Colorado forward Conor Casey slid for the ball, but so did Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and defender Jair Benitez. All three players ended up in a jumble on the ground. The ball bounced free, and Conor spun around on his backside to somehow get a foot on the ball and send it into the goal.

Colorado, a team that nobody thought would be in the 2010 MLS finals, ended up winning the game 2–1 in extra time. The Rapids had earned the seventh (out of eight) play-off slot and had been the underdogs all the way through the postseason. The final against Dallas wasn’t a pretty game, but the scrappy Rapids fought hard to claim their first championship in the league’s 15-year history. Even when they’d been knocked down—Casey literally—the Rapids refused to give up.

What’s the Score?

Life has a way of knocking us around. We might be tempted to quit or to stop trying so hard. But don’t give up! God is always with us and working to protect us, even if we can’t see it at the moment. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he tells people in the early church to be encouraged when they suffer. At first that may seem like strange advice, but the truth is that suffering reminds us of God’s great strength. When we go through difficult times, Jesus has a chance to shine through us and our problems.

What disappointments have knocked you down recently? Don’t give up! Thank God for a chance to learn and to try again. Ask for his strength. Then get back up and keep kicking.

On the Ball

Draw a picture of your problem or trouble. Then draw another picture of God taking care of it.

Coach’s Comment

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10