God's Coaching #56

God's Coaching #56

Michael Kettman was 13 when he found out that the record for spinning basketballs at one time was seven. Seven? he thought. I can beat that. A year later he set a new record by spinning 10. And he was only getting started. In 1999, Michael raised the world record to 28 basketballs spun at one time!

That’s so many balls that Michael had to be creative about where to spin them. He held on his lap a special rack made of plastic pipe. Michael slapped one ball at a time to get it spinning on the tip of a ballpoint pen. Then he placed it on a nail head on the plastic rack. His biggest challenge was getting all the balls spinning before the first ones slowed down and fell off. He had about 90 seconds to get all 28 balls spinning. The last ones spun on Michael’s fingertips. The balls didn’t spin long—but long enough to make the record official.

What’s the Score?

Michael was a master basketball spinner, but he could only keep everything going for a short time. Sometimes our lives can feel like we’re trying to keep a whole collection of balls spinning—and it all quickly gets out of control. When that happens, we need to let the balls fall and recognize that God is in control. Getting worried and upset will only stress us out. God gives us a better way to deal with life. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

That means we need to be quiet and trust him. We should set aside our problems and projects for a little while and rest in him. Reading the Bible can remind us of who God is. So can going for a walk through his creation as you talk or sing to him. Try it, and remember that God can keep your world from spinning out of control.

On the Ball

Take some time to be still with God. Find a special place where you won’t be distracted, maybe a park or a tree fort. You might even set down a basketball outside to remind you to put aside whatever’s bothering you. Then breathe deeply, and read God’s Word.

Coach’s Comment

Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. Psalm 46:10