God's Coaching #110

God's Coaching #110

Would you ever want to ride over Niagara Falls in a barrel? Probably not. But in 2009, Tyler Bradt plunged off an even higher waterfall without the protection of a barrel. The 22-year-old kayaker paddled over 186-foot Palouse Falls in Washington state to set a world record for highest waterfall plunge. (Note: Niagara Falls is about 170 feet tall and so powerful that riding a kayak over it would not be a good idea.)

Tyler took his plunge after careful planning. In 2007, he had set a world record by kayaking over Alexandra Falls in Canada, which is 107 feet high. But Brazilian Pedro Oliveira rode over a 127-foot waterfall in Brazil to break Tyler’s record. Tyler had looked at Palouse Falls before and knew it was runnable.

On the day of his record-breaking plunge, Tyler got in his little red kayak and positioned himself perfectly on the right side of the falls. As Tyler went over the edge, he disappeared in white, foamy water. He fell nearly four seconds and reached speeds of more than 100 mph. After entering the water below, Tyler emerged holding half a paddle (it had broken on the way down). His only injury was a sprained wrist.

What’s the Score?

Tyler didn’t just wake up one day and decide to risk his life in a record-breaking stunt. He was an experienced kayaker who knew the risks and put together a great team. He had people in boats at the bottom of the falls, a friend at the top ready to rappel down for a rescue, several cameramen, and plenty of medical equipment. Tyler received a ton of media attention for his feat. His name was splashed all over the Internet and in magazines. Instead of taking all the credit, Tyler acknowledged his team.

The Bible says organizing a good team is important. In 1 Corinthians 12:18, Paul writes that the body has a lot of parts and God puts each part where he wants it. Every part of the body has a purpose, just like every member of Tyler’s team did. Some members of the body get noticed more, like the hand or the eye. But for the body to be successful, each member must do its job.

On the Ball

If you’re on a team and don’t get a lot of attention, don’t complain or quit. Remember that without your best efforts, your team could fail. And if you’re a hand or an eye, remember to give your teammates credit for helping you look good.

Coach’s Comment

Our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 1 Corinthians 12:18