God's Coaching #326

God's Coaching #326

Many professional athletes make so much money, they’re rolling in dough. Members of the US Pizza Team (USPT) just roll the dough. They can make a delicious meal and put on a good show by throwing and spinning pizza dough. You might have seen them in the 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 30 or so members of the team have traveled to international pizza competitions too. Pizza competitions—who knew?

If you haven’t seen the USPT, these pizza spinners combine acrobatics, break dancing, juggling, and gymnastics. They can spin multiple pizzas at once or roll them across their shoulders or behind their backs. Feeling inspired to toss around some dough—or just plain hungry? Research shows the average American consumes 23 pounds of pizza every year. Just remember the US Pizza Team members were trained professionals. Don’t try their tricks at home, especially if your pizza is already cooked.

What’s the Score?

Pizza spinning all comes down to a basic move: the Whip. That’s when you hold the dough flat like a Frisbee and toss it in a figure-eight motion. Without this move, you have no hope of joining the US Pizza Team. It’s like learning to read, or to throw and catch, or to play scales and chords. It’s the foundation.

Jesus told us the core move to be a Christian is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). Every other spiritual fundamental is based off this move. Loving God leads us to loving other people. It makes us want to obey him, learn about him, spend time with him, get involved in what he cares about, avoid temptation, and help other people. Want to build a stronger spiritual life? Start by loving God with everything you’ve got.

On the Ball

Spend some time hanging out with God. Go for a walk and pray. Read a chapter in the Bible. Write a praise song. Or eat some pizza and talk with him.

Coach’s Comment

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’” Mark 12:29-30