Good Job Coach!!!

Good morning! I hope you had a restful weekend.

Over the weekend I went with my youngest son, Collin, to watch his final basketball game of the season. This was Collin’s first year to play basketball, so this final game was special.

Over the last 6 weeks that Collin has been playing, I have watched him develop a whole new set of skills. Collin had never played basketball before, so things like dribbling, passing and shooting were new to him. In addition to those basic skill sets he also had to learn the rules of the game, how to defend an opposing player and how to work with his teammates on offense.

Watching Collin’s development as a player was really a greater reflection on his coach. Collin’s coach had to impart his own knowledge and experience of the game to Collin and the rest of the players on his team. Not only are knowledge and experience required, but a high degree of patience and flexibility is required as well.

The idea of coaching and mentoring is nothing new. Look at this set of instructions from the Old Testament:

Exodus 35:34-35 (NLT)
And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. [35] The Lord has given them special skills as jewelers, designers, weavers, and embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on fine linen cloth. They excel in all the crafts needed for the work.

Each of us has the potential to be a “coach” to someone. God has given you unique talents, skills and understandings that are not common to everyone. At the same time He has placed others around you who have a desire to learn the very things that you have expertise in.

Now you may be thinking: “I’m a jack of all trades, but an expert in none…what could I teach?” Let me remind you that you have experience. The classroom of life has been your laboratory and your experiences qualify you for the role of teacher. You are always a few steps ahead of someone on the journey of life that is looking for some guidance through waters you have already navigated.

Now Collin’s coach did not turn him into the next Michael Jordan, but he did lay the foundation for others to build on. Collin now has a love for the game of basketball and a desire to continue improving his skills. He has been given the basics of the game and in the future others will sharpen, refine and further develop those basics.

This week I encourage you consider those who could benefit from your coaching. Step out and offer to share your experience.

Until next Monday may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl