Who would have ever thought that the tropical country of Jamaica would have a bobsled team? Well, in 1993, the movie, Cool Runnings, hit the big screen and proved to be a success to movie goers. I was one of those goers. My brother and I watched that movie over and over again. It became a favorite in our movie collection. Even though I had watched the movie a dozen times, I would still respond to the beginning of the movie with gasps and tears and at the end I would respond with laughter and cheers.

Cool Runnings fictionalized the true story of a bobsledding team from Jamaica making it to the Olympics. The tale begins with lead character Derice Bannock and several other men competing in an olympic qualifying race to represent Jamaica in track and field. After years of practice, hours of training, blood sweat, and tears, relentless pursuit, motivation, money spent, and dreams made, one of the racers trips and falls, taking with him to the ground other runners. One of those runners is Derice Bannock. Sitting in the dirt and the heat of the track, Derice looks down the track and hopelessly watches others cross the line and grab the qualifying spot on the Jamaican Olympic track and field team.

BUT, DERICE DOESN’T STAY DOWN. The song lyric, “I get knocked down, but I get up again…” just popped into my head!  Derice gets up, brushes off the dirt, and finds another way to get to his dream. Bobsledding is probably the last thing a Jamaican would consider, but an ex-gold medal winning bobsledder lives in Jamaica and Derice convinces him to be the coach. Then, a team is formed and the training ensues.  After setbacks and near disasters that made for great laughter, the group jells as team members and they head off to the Olympics to compete for an Olympic spot.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:18, Paul writes, “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.”  Paul lets us all know that in life we too run a race and there are times when someone or something might try to elbow us off the track or trip us while on the track. But, are we going to have the relentless pursuit like our Jamaican friend, Derice, to get back up and find another way to the finish line?

Because Paul uses the phrase, “Satan hindered us…”, he too fought demonic attacks. Satan wanted to abort the mission that God had for Paul’s life. He sent problems, delays, conflict, etc…But, Paul did not sit down and cry because his plans didn’t work out as intended. Paul did not throw in the towel and quit either. Paul was going to get the job done, regardless of roadblocks or obstacles put in his path. He was going to do what God had called him to do and he always found a way to do it. Even if it meant doing something unconventional like our Jamaican bobsled friends.

Why should we stop just because the devil gets in the way? If that were the case, we might as well stop everything we’re doing for the Lord right now! There will never be a time that the devil just lets us do what is in our hearts. We must be determined to keep doing what we’re called to do even if the devil tries to slam the door shut in our faces. Excerpt from my Sparkling Gem devotion by Rick Renner. 

When I began this 365 day blog journey to 10,000 reasons on my 33rd birthday, I didn’t think it would be easy. The committment would be tough. But, I had been KNOCKED down emotional, physically, spiritually, and mentally. I wanted to get back up. I didn’t want to throw in the towel. Earlier in the year, January to be exact, God spoke to me during a Sunday night service and said that I would have a SELAH. I thought that meant the baby I was carrying was to be named Selah. When I lost that precious baby in February, it was a blow that still takes my breath away at times. The door had been slammed shut on one of my dreams. But, through my obedience to the Lord, I am looking for a window.

I would be lying if I said that each day so far has been filled with daisies and sunshine. Its quite the opposite. I have battled more intensely than ever before. Nevertheless, I want to be like Derice in Cool Runnings and like Paul the Apostle in the Bible. You see, Paul  and Derice had an attitude that would not give up. It didn’t matter how much opposition was leveled against them, they had already decided that they would outlive the opposition. Somehow they would find a way to do what they were called to do.

You can do anything God calls you to do too! He promises to give you exactly what you need each day to complete the task. That is why He is called our PORTION! Don’t allow the devil to stop you. There is the greatest of POWER when you are in the center of God’s will for your life. When you are doing what God wants you to do, mighty and powerful things are going to happen and that terrifies the devil. That punk is afraid of what will happen if you actually do what God has put in your heart to do.

Don’t let a pot hole or a road block discourage you. The show is not over, you just need to find another way to the other side. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you another way. The Holy Spirit is a companion and He needs a committed partner. He will not only help you fight against every attack, but He will also help you find a more effective way to get to your other side. With the Holy Spirit, your obstacles can still feel like “Cool Runnings.” Make the devil mad that he ever messed with you.

My 27 Thanks:

1. The Holy Spirit is my companion.

2. I don’t have to stay knocked down or throw in the towel.

3. When a door shuts, you can find a window.

4. He is my portion.

5. He gives me exactly what I need to make it through each day.

6. We finished Dr. Mark Rutland’s book, Relaunch.

7. Mindy and JaQuisha are awesome with kids.

8. Judah loved getting to participate in National Cupcake day with Mrs. Mindy and Miss JaQuisha.

9. We ironed out all the wrinkles in our Christmas Production Rehearsal schedule.

10. We all had to compromise a little to reach a common goal.

11. Compromise is sometimes necessary and healthy and better for the overall.

12. Lorry Gail spent a day of her vacation at church helping me rework a portion of script that we didn’t really like.

13. Jamisen finalized the puppet voices and they are awesome.

14. Laughter with friends.

15. I skipped lunch and kept on working, so I got to slip out a little early and pick up Judah.

16. Judah is a navigational expert. He loves mapping out where we are going, talking about directions, etc…He totally knows the path to our house from the church. He gives me directions!

17. Car ride conversations with Judah are some of my favorite.

18. Pastor Ted got to pray before the start of the Thunder Game.

19. Leftovers.

20. I was able to talk with a friend and help her through a difficult situation.

21. Judah and I had a relaxing evening.

22. My friend, Janelle, texted me and wished me a great night of rest. She was also praying for me.

23. Many of our church family members had a great time at the Thunder Game.

24. I went to bed listening to a most awesome message by Jentzen Franklin.

25. My church family…how can people survive without a community of believers helping them through life?

26. Unity.

27. Great power comes from being in the center of God’s Will for your life.