God's Coaching #97

God's Coaching #97

The North Pole Marathon promoted itself as the world’s coolest marathon—literally. During the 2009 race, temperatures plummeted to negative 35 degrees. That’s cold. The race is run on ice—not land—floating on the Arctic Ocean. As the runners compete, the whole course moves slightly with the current. Now that is cool!

In 2010, it was a balmy negative four degrees. Of course, high winds and blizzard conditions didn’t make the race any easier. Despite the snow, wind, and freezing temperatures, all 25 athletes finished the 26.2-mile race. Joep Rozendal, a former marine from the Netherlands, won in a time of five hours and 58 seconds. Yen-Po Chen of Taiwan was third at nearly five-and-a-half hours, which was more than double his normal marathon time.

Ireland’s Emer Dooley won the women’s division, finishing in just under six hours. Jamie Cuthbertson of Great Britain placed 13th, but his race might have been the most impressive. After losing his sight in an explosion in 1986, Jamie—along with his guide Alex Pavanello—showed that a disability couldn’t stop somebody from completing the coolest race on earth.

What’s the Score?

Jamie had to trust his guide to lead him on the rugged terrain. Much of the frozen course had little dips under the surface and mounds of snow. Plus, with whiteout conditions, Jamie had to trust Alex not to get off the path. Alex guided Jamie perfectly to an amazing accomplishment.

As Christians, we have an incredible guide who can keep us on the right path. He’s called the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5:16 to “let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:16). Because we’re human, we all have a sinful nature that nudges us to be jealous, hateful, angry, selfish, and engaged in other negative behaviors. But when we rely on God’s Spirit to guide us, we act with goodness, love, kindness, and self-control. How would you rather live?

On the Ball

Do you ever feel a battle inside yourself to act selfishly versus selflessly? When you act selfishly, you’re not letting the Holy Spirit guide you. Pray to God to give you the strength and wisdom to follow his Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the best guide we could ever ask for!

Coach’s Comment

Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16