Coaching

One might say that life is a race, a game, or a voyage. Nowadays more then ever it seems that athletes, teams, and crews that are taking all the glory and acknowledgement for themselves. They maintain the attitude that they alone can accomplish the task. It seems to me that they have forgotten one critical component, the coach. Joe Gibbs an excellent coach and winner believes that:

Whether the sport is football, swimming, golf, or NASCAR auto racing, to truly
be successful, you must have a top-notch coach… Without a coach, the players all want to do their own thing and go their own way, so they end up bumping into each other, causing unnecessary wrecks and wasting a lot of time, money, energy, and resources. Somebody must be in charge! Of course, the best coach is somebody who knows you and knows the best way to maximize your effort within the system. (Emphasis mine)

Some of the most influential people in my life were my coaches. They were men who believed in me, inspired me, and empowered me. It might surprise you that not all were coaches on the field or court. Some of them were coaches on life. A coach does not have to be limited to the court or field; they can function in life and in the Church. The greatest coaches that I had knew who I was and understood how to draw from me all that I could give so that the goal could be accomplished, whether it was on the court, in the office, or at church.

As I take stock of my life and envision the future I see a life of coaching. A recent quote by Steve Young at the Memorial Service for Bill Walsh illustrates exactly what I have been pondering lately in regards to life and ministry. "Somehow we could take inventory of what you were today and see what you could become in the future...What more could anyone ask than to have a coach who could foretell how high you could fly, and then gave you the wings?"

As I look at Jesus there is no doubt that he saw the best in everyone. I think of Peter and his boldness and willingness to stand up for Christ at all times only to deny him and sink to the lowest point possible. What did Christ do? How did he respond to Peter? He responded by positively reminding Peter of the good that was to come. Jesus gave Peter his wings to fly and set him on a course which has transformed history and if Christ is in you He has done the same for you.

Reflect on your own life about the men and women you have been involved as they served you as a leader, mentor or coach. How did they handle themselves? Now think about the relationships that you are in where you are the one mentoring, leading, or coaching - how are you going to handle yourself?

Here is something to ponder: Who are you preparing for flight?