Last weekend Joe and I had the opportunity to ski with my daughter and her husband at Sugar Loaf Ski Resort in Maine. After a day of skiing the “green” (easy) and “blue” (intermediate) slopes, my daughter and I talked about our admiration for those who can handle with ease the “black diamond” and “double black diamond” runs. And we weren’t alone in our admiration. She shared how a good friend of hers not only admired these skiers but wanted to become one as well―to ski “black diamonds” like a pro―so he decided to take a lesson and learn from a pro.
When he told the ski instructor about his “black diamond” goal, her response startled him. Instead of practicing on the “black diamonds,” she took him to the “green” runs where they worked on perfecting the basic skills he had already learned. Her advice: practice on the easy slopes until the movements, the “feel,” become muscle memory―automatic! It would be on “green” runs where he would master the skiing skills needed to navigate with confidence the most difficult slopes.
Certainly this is a lesson we can apply to living a life defined by our faith in Jesus―where the Christ-like qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are to be evident even on the most “difficult slopes” of life.
But how do we do that? The best place to start is during the daily, small moments of life. For instance, we can make the conscious choice to:
- Be patient, even we are stuck behind a car traveling 10 mph below the speed limit.
- Respond with a kind word, even when the salesperson has been rude.
- Hold back an angry response, even when your child has not.
- Follow through on a commitment, even when it becomes inconvenient.
If the characteristics of Christ (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.) are to be characteristic of us, we must learn to master them on the “easy slopes” of life. We must put them into “into practice” on a daily basis, over and over again, so they become intuitive, enabling us to demonstrate with grace these same Christ-like qualities when life gets difficult, when we have no choice but to traverse the “black diamond,” even the “double black diamond” slopes of life.
An unexpected lesson learned from a day of skiing in Maine!
Joy Gruits is a Christian educator, speaker, and writer. Her passion is to share a Biblical truths that challenge and motivate people to become devoted followers of Christ who fulfill God's divine purpose for their lives.
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Thank you Joy! Wonderful reminder of the so important basics of walking a loving walk with the Lord. And, yes, I needed that reminder, especially about the driving!!
How true that sometimes it’s during the small moments of life that we have the greatest opportunities to bear the “fruit” of Christ’s character!
Awesome analogy!
Thanks, Lynne!
Good advice. I’m finding that soft answers to situations are much easier now that I live alone, have all the time in the world, and rely on the Lord more than before. Now when I practice patience I find I like the response back that I receive.
My friends laugh with me when driving. If I am behind a slow driver, I declare he is probably delivering a wedding cake. If I get cut off by a speeding driver, I state his wife is probably delivering a baby in the backseat. And I am delivered peace!
Thank you, Joy, for your family leading me to salvation. And continuing to inspire me through your gift of teaching
My friends laugh with me when driving behind a slow car. I declare he is probably delivering a wedding cake. If I get cut off by a speeding driver, I state his wife (or her sister) is delivering a baby in the backseat. I am delivered peace! Thank you, Joy, for your family leading Bob and me to salvation and for continuing to inspire us.
Thank you for sharing! Love you and Bob!
So good. So often we want to dismiss the little things when we are working toward greatness and muscles with good memories only come when we do the basics over and over again. Thanks for sharing Joy! Hope it wasn’t too cold on your trip. Maine can be brutal in the winter!! Susan
Fortunately there was lots of sun and we had fresh snow!
Thank you, Joy. Taking time to read some positive comments brings the Kingdom to everyday living. Thankful that we can do and be what God requires of us without hesitation as we walk in the knowledge of His promises to us. God bless.
Amen!