God's Coaching #196

God's Coaching #196

Surprisingly, the World Toe-Wrestling Championships were not held in Tokyo. Get it? Toe-kyo. Ha! At the 2010 competition in Ashbourne, England, two of the sport’s best competitors successfully defended their titles by showing a lot of toe-nacity. In the men’s division, Alan Nash claimed another world championship. For more than a decade, he had been one of the best at the sport. On the ladies’ side, it was Lisa Shenton who earned her second title in as many years.

The sport of toe wrestling began in 1976 when a group of walkers in northern England took off their socks and put up their feet. The rules are very similar to arm wrestling. Opponents lock big toes and try to push the outside edge of their foe’s foot to the side of the table. The winner of two-out-of-three rounds advances. Rules state that the foot not being used must be held in the air and the heel of the foot locked in battle must stay on the table. Although the sport may look a little silly, Alan said it requires strategy and strength. “You really feel it the next day,” Alan added, “when your feet ache and start to swell.”

What’s the Score?

Feet are funny looking. They can even look a little gross. Before someone can compete in the World Toe-Wrestling Championships, his or her feet must be inspected. Athletes have been turned away due to corns, calluses, bunions, and athlete’s foot fungus. Yuck.

The book of Isaiah says it’s possible to have beautiful feet: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation” (Isaiah 52:7). God sees our feet as beautiful when we tell others about him. It doesn’t take nail polish and a pedicure to create terrific looking tootsies. Just living for Jesus can give you fantastic feet—and lead you to fantastic feats.

On the Ball

Think of some ways you can use your feet for Jesus. Tonight ask your parents to walk with you around your neighborhood and pray for your neighbors. Or use your feet to walk cookies over to some neighbors you don’t know very well.

Coach’s Comment

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! Isaiah 52:7