Zac Sunderland, 17, became the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe July17, completing his 13-month journey in Marina del Rey.
He did this without major sponsorship on an older Islander sailboat named Intrepid, as one of seven Sunderland children who live in a modest Thousand Oaks home.
"I think society puts young people in a box -- people 15, 16, 17 -- and does not expect them to do much but go to high school and play football and stuff like that," Sunderland said. "This just shows they can do a lot more with some strong ambition and desire. My [advice] is to get out there and do your thing with all you got."
The voyage spanned three oceans, five seas and twice led him across the equator, once spent 60 hours without sleeping, while trying to fix broken rigging in 15-foot seas and gale-force winds.
He endured brutally long windless periods while bobbing cork-like beneath a blazing sun, eating canned food and drinking nothing but tepid, desalinated water. ( LA Times )
Let’s not under sell our young people.
David, a teenager, killed Goliath while all the adults stood around in fear paralyzed--even the king himself.
Josiah was a king who lead the people of Israel back to God.
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego stood up against the king and refused to bow to the idol and was thrown in the fiery furnace.
Daniel resolved not to defile himself and became a great influence and leader in a foreign land.
Mary, a teenager, carried “The Christ Child”.
The list could go on and on and on….
Let’s be intentional in calling out the gifts, calling and destiny in the young people who God has brought into our lives. Let’s not under value them.
“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
