The Holy Spirit, Your Personal Coach

In sports, there are many coaches. In baseball, there are base coaches that watch where the ball is on the field and tell the runner to either stop at the base or keep running. In basketball and football, the coaches are always yelling instructions to the players on how to react to the current situation and discussing past and upcoming situations in the game during time outs and half-time breaks. If grown men and women need coaches to help them win a game, don’t we need a great coach to win life? God’s Word teaches us that “those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). The word “sons” when literally translated means “maturing ones.” This means that those of us who are maturing in our relationship with Christ will be led by the Holy Spirit. And the more we mature spiritually, the more we will be led by the Holy Spirit. In the same way that sports coaches are more knowledgeable as an athlete proceeds through grammar school, high school, college and into the professional ranks, as we mature in our faith we get greater coaching from the Holy Spirit.

In the same way that a 10 year old would not be able to receive college level coaching, spiritually immature people are not ready for the type of guidance God really wants to give them. That is why ongoing spiritual growth is so necessary.

Many people spend their entire lives in church but don’t receive the guidance God wants to give them. That’s because they have not purposely chosen to spend time with God and discipline themselves to have a life of prayer and Bible study. God has all the direction we need. We just have to put ourselves in the position to receive it. The Holy Spirit is ready to guide us in the midst of everyday life. He also wants us to take some time-outs to receive advice and direction before we head back into the game of life. In sports, time-outs are often taken at the most important time or when there is a momentum shift for the other side. It’s just common sense then that during life’s most important situations or when our lives look like they may be taking a turn in the wrong direction, that we call a time-out and get with God. The difference is that it will probably take longer than a 30-second time-out to get all the direction we need. My advice is to take all the time you need with God, be patient and it will be worth it in life. Wounded Heart pp. 92-93

Prayer: Lord, I come to you asking for your guidance. Give me ears to hear your voice and your direction. Teach me to be patient, to listen and to follow Your direction. I pray this in Jesus name - Amen.