God's Coaching #43

God's Coaching #43

Canadian ice skaters and Australian sailors make sense. People living around all that ice or water have the opportunity to get good at those sports. But how do you explain a luger from India or cross-country skiers from Algeria and Ethiopia? They make you say, “Huh? Where did those guys come from?”

The Winter Olympics can be filled with dreamers who defy the odds. They’re committed and brave. And they get the coolest nicknames. Eddie the Eagle (real name Eddie Edwards) was Great Britain’s first-ever ski jumper in 1988. Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong was called “The Snow Leopard” in 2010. This slalom skier was Ghana’s first-ever winter Olympian. No, there is no snow in the African nation of Ghana. And there are hardly any swimming pools in Equatorial Guinea where Eric the Eel was from. You can read about him on August 28.

Athletes like these might have been total underdogs from underdog countries, but they were serious about their sports. They came to compete—even if they knew they wouldn’t win. They gave their all to represent their countries and to open doors for others to go through. And these athletes have often endeared themselves to the crowd, because they tried—hard. Their faith in what could happen inspires us all.

What’s the Score?

Psalm 37:4 tells us, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” That’s one cool verse. But it doesn’t mean we’ll always get anything we want. The key is to first delight in the Lord. When we pursue him and commit ourselves to him, God shapes our hearts and desires. He brings them in line with his desires for us. As we follow God’s purposes and plans for our lives, our hearts’ desires become unstoppable.

Don’t be afraid to dream big. Love and live for God with all your strength. Put your faith in what can happen through him.

On the Ball

Dream big. List a few large accomplishments you want to achieve in life.

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Coach’s Comment

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4