God's Coaching #85

God's Coaching #85

Trivia time: What do Usain Bolt, Mia Hamm, Dwight Howard, Derek Jeter, Jimmie Johnson, Peyton Manning, Candace Parker, and Serena Williams all have in common? Answer: These famous athletes have all promoted Gatorade. Gatorade is probably the most well-known sports drink in America, if not the world. Gatorade pays the world’s top athletes millions of dollars each year to promote its products. If you watch enough sports on TV, you’re bound to see a Gatorade commercial touting the drink’s abilities to quench thirst and refresh weary athletes with important nutrients. But do you know how Gatorade got its unique name?

In 1965, a University of Florida assistant football coach asked a group of university physicians why many of his players were struggling to perform in the heat. The doctors did some research and found that the human body needs to replenish certain minerals and nutrients that are lost during exercise. Based on their findings, they created a new beverage to aid the Gators. Hence the name “Gatorade.” Drinking Gatorade that football season, Florida finished 7–4. The following year, the Gators went 9–2 and won the Orange Bowl for the first time in school history. Soon other teams were ordering Gatorade by the truckload. By 2010, Gatorade was the official sports drink of the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and many other organizations and teams.

What’s the Score?

No, this isn’t a commercial for Gatorade. It’s just a helpful reminder that we all need to be refreshed occasionally. Life is hard sometimes. Things don’t always go our way. We can stumble along the journey, and it’s not always easy to get back up. What do you do when you’re weary? Who do you turn to when you need to be refreshed?

Gatorade might replenish our carbohydrates and electrolytes, but only God can refresh our hearts and minds. There is no greater energizer than God’s Word. The Bible can lift us up when we’re feeling low and can provide hope during our greatest trials. The Bible is great at “refreshing the soul,” as Psalm 19:7 (NIV) says. When life leaves you thirsting for refreshment, drink in Scripture deeply. Take it in big gulps, and let it nourish your soul. God’s Word will always satisfy.

On the Ball

The book of Psalms is loaded with encouraging words of refreshment. Try reading Psalms 19, 23, 27, and 34.

Coach’s Comment

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 (NIV)