Catch Wind Skate DevotionalSample

In my 12 years of skateboarding, I can tell you one thing that’s true, I have never once thought of giving it up. Growing up skating with friends and kids I met at school, I watched them all eventually quit skating. We’d skate together through middle school, but by high school, they’d give it up. And I never understood why! What happened? Did they grow bored of it? Did I not encourage them enough? They completely gave it up and it always bummed me out. I promised myself I’d never end up like that.

As I’ve matured throughout the years, and developed a relationship with my Heavenly Father, I’ve noticed the same thing. People I’ve befriended through our faith, churchgoers I recognized every Sunday, and some of my closest friends, I’ve watched them give it up! Why? What happened? Did they grow bored of God? Did I not encourage them enough like we are called to do? 

I come in contact with many random people when I’m out skating and they all have the same thing to say, “Oh I used to skate, it’s been so long.” That’s so sad, isn’t it? I don’t ever want that to be my line when I meet someone! I love skateboarding too much to just let go it go. But what’s worse than that? Coming in contact with a fellow brother or sister, or a long time friend in the faith, or even just someone off the side of the street, and  they say how they used to believe. They used to pray and seek God. But for whatever reason, they gave up the love. 

“We must pay the most careful attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”

I encourage all of you, do not give up your faith in God. Have you ever experienced anything greater than God’s love? Live in that love, and fight to never let it go. Days will feel stale. You’re not learning anything new; it seems like God won’t speak to you. But I promise you, there’s always more to learn; there are new things God wants to show us. Just like we can never master skateboarding, we can never master our faith until we get to heaven. We have to hang on to this love, work on it everyday, and promise ourselves we’ll never let it go.

Chandler Toates - Catch Wind filmer/team rider