July 9, 2018 - Benefits of a Coach That Played

Here we are in the middle of summer and there is still a lot of talk about NBA basketball… with which player is going where. Yet there were also many coaching positions filled in May and June that will greatly affect how teams play… in fact I think there were 8 new head coaches added.

So, what makes a great coach? What all seem to agree on is that communication and motivation are the keys… But for some they prefer to have a coach that was a former player; or as one NBA veteran put it, coaches that understand the grind of an 82-game season… “have been in the trenches… They know the game a little bit more because they have been in your shoes.” (Marreese Speights, Orlando Magic)

 It is comforting to know that the one you are following has been where you are and understands the struggles. The Scriptures remind us that we have such a leader in Christ; “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) This verse followed the charge for us to “hold fast” and reminded us that our Savior has “gone through the grind… been through the trenches.”

That in turn, gives us the confidence to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find help in time of need.” (verse 16)

Although I know there are some coaches that are successful that have not played, I agree with Mo Speights in that I prefer the comfort of knowing my Leader fully understands what I am going through!

The thoughts today were spurred by a book Lisa is reading. She told me about a chapter that made the following observation… when watching a great movie, one gets caught up in the characters, not the author of the story; we connect to the hero and find ourselves emotionally connected to the outcome. So why bring this up in the devotion? The book went on to remind us that sometimes we tend to just think of God as the author and forget He is all the principal character… the hero of the story! He not only entered the story physically through Christ, He also remains active in it. We can go to Him in our story! We can boldly approach Him! When we talk to Him, He hears us….

Spend time with The Coach today… and every day; His office door is always open because He understands and cares about what we are going through!

(Lisa is reading the book The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge)