November 15th

While scanning through the TV channels looking for something interesting, I happened upon a program featuring a skate boarding competition. Now, skateboarding is not something I’ve ever done, and it’s certainly not something I really consider a sport, or even that exciting a hobby. Still, watching those folks do their tricks was pretty amazing. What really struck me was one specific maneuver: the skater rolled along, then went up a wee ramp that propelled him just a couple of feet up. While he flew through the air, he hopped up off his skateboard, at the same time kicking the device so that it simultaneously did a sommersault and a full twist. When that was done, the skated landed back on his board, and then the two of them returned safely to the ground to continue on with other tricks.
The more I thought about that little move, the more I was fascinated not only by the skill of the rider (driver? Flyer? Stunter?) but also by the truly incredible abilities of the human body. Think about our abilities. Our hands are sufficiently nimble to paint a master-piece or knit a beautiful sweater, yet strong enough to wield a tree-felling axe or raise a heavy barbell. They can also combine that strength and dexterity to toss a baseball at ridiculous speeds while causing it to curve and twist at will. Now think about the feet of the skater I just described. Those feet, normally associated simply with running or walking or maybe even jumping, were able to manipulate (foot-ipulate?) a skateboard, causing it to spin and twist just as easily as a pitcher can throw a curve-ball. All I can say is: wow!
Of course, when one considers that we are made in God’s image, we shouldn’t be too surprised at a skater’s great foot skills. Now, I can’t exactly picture God riding on such a device, but at the same time, can’t think of any reason why our creator wouldn’t. The ability certainly would be there, because if we can do it (well, not me, but others sure can) then God, who is the very model upon which we are based, should be able to do it with mind-boggling abilities. Not with unreal, supernatural powers, but with the same muscle skills we all have to a certain degree.
That’s the wonder and amazement of the human body. God has imbued us with the potential to do things that seem beyond our imagination, and sometimes, to even defy the laws of gravity. Certainly that skater seemed to  be doing things that no ordinary mortal could accomplish. Yet what he did is within the realm of any human being willing to exercise and train their body in certain ways. I’m still not a big fan of skate-boarding but I am a huge fan of the skills those folks demonstrate, and an even bigger fan of the one and only God who gives us all the potential to do some pretty amazing things. At least that’s the way I see it.