29 Sep, 2011
Encouraging Young Followers
Usain Bolt takes a break from training to help young runners
WALNUT, Calif. – A blazing Southern California sun beat down on the Mt. San Antonio College track on a windless Tuesday, and even for someone accustomed to training in the Caribbean, this was really, really hot.
"Hotter than Jamaica," Usain Bolt said, wiping his brow.
It didn't help that Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter who is the fastest man in the history of track and field, the world recordholder in 100 and 200 meters, wore black jeans, a black polo shirt and a black "UB" baseball cap.
But he was having fun anyway.
"I always have fun with the kids," said Bolt, who appeared at the college, home of the annual Mt. SAC Relays, to conduct a clinic staged by his shoe sponsor, Puma.
"I really enjoy coming out and trying to teach them a few things and trying to inspire them. For me, it was good to be inspired as an athlete growing up. I enjoy it."
Bolt, who is making a few more appearances in Los Angeles this week before returning home and enjoying a month or so of a break in training, was relaxed in his role as teacher.
Bolt, who earlier this year repeated as the 200-meter world champion but was disqualified from the 100 because of a false start, certainly caught the irony of him instructing a group of Mt. SAC sprinters in starting techniques.
"I'm sorry about my start at the world championships," he said sheepishly to the crowd of several hundred people, most of them high school track runners.
Then he jokingly taunted a Mt. SAC freshman sprinter who was asked to provide an example of a start. The start went smoothly enough, and the young runner sped down the track in good form.
Click Here for the full story.
Story and Photo courtesy of usatoday.com.
2 Timothy 1 (ESV)
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
2To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about encouraging younger followers?
Usain Bolt has a great amount of experience to draw from when it comes to teaching young runners. In today's story he somewhat joked about his mistake of a false start. Sometimes it is such mistakes that allow us to teach others.
Our relationship with Jesus within the Body of Christ is no different. God wants us to encourage younger believers on their journey. He wants us to draw from our mistakes to not only learn from them, but to share that experience as well.
How can I connect today's God's Story to My Life?
- Ask God to give you some younger followers of Jesus to encourage on a regular basis.
- Read the rest of 2 Timothy and notice the many ways that Paul encouraged young Timothy in his faith and ministry.
How can I connect Today's Story, God's Story, and My Story with Others?
Make a list of your friends who haven't been following Jesus for very long. Seek ways to come alongside them and be an encouragement to them on their journey with Jesus.
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
