Listen To the Coach

When we’re playing in the game of life there are a lot of voices that scream for our attention. There are hundreds of “coaches” (and referees) in the stands and they all want you to listen to them, but you’re better off if you listen to your own coach.

I used to love to help the referees when my kids were playing ball. My wife told me it wasn’t a good testimony but I told her that if I didn’t tell them when they were doing wrong, they wouldn’t know it. “I’m just trying to help them,” I pleaded in my defense.

She finally persuaded me that maybe he didn’t appreciate my advice as much as I did. But I’m still a good person to have in the stands. I cheer my team on and sometimes, when I can’t help myself, I try to help the referee remember to do his job better.

My oldest son Stephen loved playing basketball.  I once asked him, “Does the crowd bother you when you’re playing?”

“When I’m playing the only voice I hear is Ron’s,” he responded. Ron was his coach.

When we’re playing in life there are a lot of voices that scream for our attention. There are hundreds of “coaches” in the stands and they all want you to listen to them, but you’re better off if you listen to the coach.

The “coach” is the voice of the Lord in prayer; it’s counsel from someone who loves us and is wise in the ways of the Lord. It’s His voice speaking to you through His Word, the Bible. It’s that powerful conviction in your soul that something is right.

You need to know what you’re trying to accomplish (what would winning the game look like in your situation?), then shut out the voices that don’t belong to the Coach.

“Oh yes, people of Zion, citizens of Jerusalem, your time of tears is over. Cry for help and you’ll find it’s grace and more grace. The moment he hears, he’ll answer. Just as the Master kept you alive during the hard times, he’ll keep your teacher alive and present among you. Your teacher will be right there, local and on the job, urging you on whenever you wander left or right: “This is the right road. Walk down this road.” ( Isa. 30:19-21, The Message)

Those other voices destabilize and confuse you. Listen to the Coach.

How Do You Block Out All the Extra Voices to Hear the Voice of the Lord? Leave you answer at the end of this article.
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Hmmm …

“Until you take responsibility, you are a victim. And being a victim is the exact opposite of being a leader. Victims are passive. They are acted upon. Leaders are active. They take initiative to influence the outcome.

“This is the great thing about responsibility. Once you own it, you can begin fixing it. This eliminates a lot of wasted effort in playing the victim and blaming others.” Michael Hyatt (http://michaelhyatt.com/)

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