Skip to main content

What it takes to be a Great Coach

The Lord tells us that we will have many trials and sorrows; that affliction is to come.  My stomach turns when I think of that sincere warning.  Has anyone ever told you that something bad was going to happen to you before it happened?  It almost seems to make things worse for you because you anticipate something bad is coming. You believe this person so you expect that their words are a sincere warning.  He precedes this warning with “I have spoken this to you that you may have peace.”  Peace!?  Why is it I felt a sense of uneasiness instead of peace? 
Jesus is like a coach. He studies the tapes of the opposing teams. He learns their best moves and then he reports back to His own team.  He equips us with knowledge and tactics to respond to the opposition. He wants us to know what’s coming, not to frighten us, but to properly prepare and arm us so we have a better chance at being victorious.  That is the responsibility of a great coach.  He makes sure that he does everything he can to give us the advantage.  He knows it is better for us to practice our counter, than to be surprised during the game.  He understands our strengths and weaknesses. He knows when to put us in and when to call “sub.” He knows when we need a time-out and pep talk.  He is there always cheering us on and expecting the win.  He is even there when we mess up, drop the ball or accidentally step out of bounds.  He encourages us that all is not lost, that we will get another chance at victory.  There is always another game, another season, another opportunity for triumph. Why? Because the Bible tells us that the enemy never sleeps.  But thank God for timeouts, subs, off-seasons, and a great coach who always knows what’s best for His players. And we can all attest that there have been some amazing coaches: Wooden, Riley, Dungy, Jackson…but the comforting difference between them and Jesus Christ is that JC’s record is still undefeated and going strong. 
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken that you may have peace.  In the world you will have affliction but take courage, I have overcome the world. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Real Friends

With all these social networking sites popping up all over the place, its fun to peruse the sites to meet new people and connect with old ones.   We enjoy looking at each other’s pictures, videos, and chatting.   We stay in touch and we reach out to our “Friends.”   I get the idea Facebook had with the whole “friends” craze, though I’m certain they’ve used the term quite loosely. I must apologize before proceeding because I, on the other hand, am quite frugal with the term. FB friends send you a link …real friends take you there. FB friends review your pics…real friends are in them with you. FB friends write on your wall…real friends write on your heart. FB friends respond to your posts…real friends respond to your cries. FB friends start drama on your page…real friends talk it out behind closed doors FB friends only tell you what they like…real friends will tell you what they don’t like FB friends want to know WHAT you’re doing…real friends want to know HOW you’re doin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Are you a Leader or a Follower?

Being a leader seems to come with its own level of power and prestige.   A leader is thought to be strong, courageous, bold, powerful and full of vision – after all, he is supposed to be leading us somewhere.   A follower, though the term lacks the same glitz and glam as leader, is ever so necessary as well.   How ever could a man lead, if there is no one to follow him?   Each position carries its own weight.   It doesn’t matter whether you lead or follow – it matters “how” and it definitely matters “who”.   As a leader, the people who follow you are your responsibility.   Their life is being influenced by you directly.   They are looking to you for guidance and what you deposit in them will be absorbed.   Parents are leaders by definition because they have direct influence over your children; teachers over their students; Pastors over their congregations; and some friends over other friends – a leader can emerge anywhere.   A leader mu...
Post a Comment
Read more

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love

I need to be reminded of how much God truly loves me.   We all have a generic sense that God loves us.   We’ve heard the song, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so…”   Even with knowing how much God loves me, I still struggle with understanding how that love for me plays out in my life.   God doesn’t love the way we love.   His love is beyond what we even consider.   His love is so specific, so precise and so definite.   Some days, when I’m being nice to my family and I’ve paid my tithes, or given money to someone less fortunate – I feel loved by God.   At least, I may feel more lovable because I’m doing things that God would approve of.   There are many other times when I don’t feel so wonderful.   I may have snapped at a friend or said I couldn’t help out with something when I know I could’ve.   There are times when I am in direct violation of the will of God for my life.   Those times I feel awful. ...
Post a Comment
Read more