God's Coaching #54

God's Coaching #54

Dean Potter wanted to fly. For years, he had been one of the best and most respected rock climbers in the world. Heights didn’t scare him. But he had also been fascinated by flying. So in 2009, Dean climbed up the Eiger, a famous mountain in Switzerland. He put on a special suit and walked to the edge of a rock that stuck out like a diving board. Then he jumped.

Dean fell about 600 feet. Then his special wingsuit caught the air, and Dean started flying. To get an idea of what the wingsuit looked like, picture a flying squirrel. The suit had extra fabric wings under the arms and between the legs. Almost three minutes later, Dean pulled a parachute and landed near a small Swiss town. He was 9,000 feet lower and four miles away from where he started! It was the longest human free-fall flight ever made.

What’s the Score?

Was Dean crazy? Some would say so. Other people in the world had tried using wingsuits. Some had died trying. It was an incredibly risky activity. But Dean believed in following his passions. And seeing him fly is an amazing picture of how God’s strength can fill us and keep us soaring.

Have you ever watched an eagle fly? It’s an effortless glide through the sky. Isaiah told us that’s how God’s strength is. He wrote, “Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Are you weary? Do you feel like fainting in your spiritual life? Turn your heart to God and let him lift you back up.

On the Ball

Watch for some big birds soaring. You might have hawks or pelicans living near you. Worship God with prayer and singing as you see them glide gracefully through the skies. Picture God filling your spiritual wings the same way.

Coach’s Comment

Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31