As the new school year begins, new dreams dance in our minds! As coaches and teachers prepare to help their charges Take-it-to-the-limit… Leave-it-on-the-floor… Give-that-110%… Be-all-they-can-be... and so on, it makes me wonder what our kids will be learning this year in the classroom, the band room, the locker room. Who will our kids’ heroes and mentors be this year? Who will be their peers and influencers? How will they develop health, positive values, a strong work ethic, a solid belief system? Who will help them form their own Game Plan?
What a joy it is to paint murals, especially for kids! I get to do my "controlled graffiti" on the walls of schools, churches and even kids’ rooms! One of mine and the kids’ favorites is "Coach Jesus"-- depicting Christ sitting down as a coach, inspiring various kids in sport's gear. He's pointing to the cross and telling them about "The Real Game" and how to win it. No doubt he's also showing them how to be the best athlete and person they can be, on or off the field.
Oh that our kids could meet this coach! …At school and even more, at home! This Coach from Heaven came not just to forgive us and take us to Heaven, but to put Heaven in us! When a kid lets Jesus be Coach as well as Savior, Jesus moves in and helps that child in every aspect of life's game. Better than any Tuna, Little General or Knute—this coach gets right inside His players! He comes in there to comfort when the team's getting slaughtered! He's there to instruct and inspire when we've blown the play and feel like an idiot! He's there to remind us that we are loved and valued and important no matter how we performed on the court or field that day. He's there to encourage us, even on the bench, when we feel useless, set aside, and others are getting the playing time or the recognition! And He shows us how to be His teamplayer and to love our teammates. He comes into our innermost locker room to be our personal trainer and counselor, nutritionist and mentor in the toughest, scariest game of all! Yea, that's Coach Jesus. I wonder, is He coaching in our schools? Is He speaking in our homes?
To you assistant coaches, you parents--- Who’s calling the plays on your bench? I pray your hometeam will chalk up lots of wins this year. Maybe this will be a championship year, when you take the time to stop and listen, to turn off the world’s noise and voices—and both you and your young champions hear that strong, sure Voice from the sidelines calling to you, saying...
"If anyone wants to play for Me, let them deny themselves, pick up their own cross daily and follow Me! I am the Coach and you are My team! If you listen to Me and do what I say, you'll always be a winner! For without Me you can never really win. Remember, you didn't choose me, but I chose you to go & win, not just games... but hearts!" (Luke 9: 23; John 15 paraphrased) |
