Think back to what got you started as a coach? Coaching has never been just about the teams you take over. Coaching happens in multiple arenas of life. We’ve all been coached. Someone passed their wisdom on to us. It’s a space where good & bad examples and good & bad advice inform how we invest in people. Some of us have had solid experiences with coaches. Some mixed and some had a terrible coach. All these experiences motivated us to become a coach with a different approach.
The mission of every believer’s life is to be a DISCIPLE of Jesus Christ who makes disciples by loving the Lord and loving others well. It’s the great commission mandate we carry as an ambassador coach. We are followers of Christ and His teachings. The manual is the Bible. Jesus, through His word, coaches us to be about His Kingdom business. Sport has always been one of the great platforms to be a disciple and make disciples.
Growing up under a dad coach and a mom school administrator bears its moments of wondering if I would even attempt to coach anything. I was blessed that they were good (not perfect) “coaches” for me. They even prayed for coaches/mentors & even tried to put other good coaches/mentors in front of me. Future jobs and bosses impact my views on “coaching” as well.
Things like marriage bring new “coaching” opportunities, and your bride may or may not receive your coaching depending on the situation. Truthfully, more often than not, I needed to listen to her coaching. Then if God blesses you with children, coaching ebbs and flows as they move into adulthood. They need your advice and guardrails when they’re younger. When they get older, it takes more patience waiting to only give advice when asked.
Being a coach can be fun & messy. It’s a holy tension. Timing, tone, and wisdom are a fine balance within the ecosystem of any team. Players may not trust you. Athletic Directors/Managers/Parents may not get your philosophy and just want wins. Sometimes you may feel you are working harder than your players on some days. What if? The Gospel of Jesus Christ was at the center of your life, and He moved your team forward in ways only He could do. Being an ambassador of His Gospel truths will make you feel out of your mind. But it is so worth it when the “Ah-Ha” moments land!
2 Corinthians 5 is written to a really messy church. Paul is coaching them to remember what Message they carry and why they carry it…
Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well. We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.
If we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.
So from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old have passed away. Behold, the new has come!
All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Reflections:
~ What are some ways you preach the gospel of peace to yourself?
~ There have been moments where you do everything right as a coach and you still “lose”. What about your love of Jesus do you players see in your responses to “loses”?
~ We are ruled by Christ’s love for us. (Christ’s love compels us) How does Christ’s love impact your coaching?
~ As a coach, we make plenty of evaluations/judgments to help our teams perform well at every position. How do you create peace for the athletes you work with so they perform at their best for you? And if they are believers for the glory of God?
~ It’s highly likely that not every player on your team loves Jesus. So, what are some ways you can bring peace within the natural stresses of the sport you coach?
~ Where are some places you can “die to yourself” to become a better ambassador of Jesus in your coaching?
~ What can you celebrate as a peace-making coach? (meaning, where have you seen God show up in your coaching?)
NO AMBASSADOR CHANGES THE MESSAGE, BUT LET’S THE MESSAGE CHANGE THEM.
Devotional by “Jake” Tassy
Acts 4:12-13
Chaplain at Westminster Catawba Christian School
Former Pro Soccer Player
Former Varsity High School Guys & Ladies Soccer Coach
Current 50+ Pickleball Player
Blessed Husband, Dad, Father-in-Law, Son, Brother, Uncle, & Gruncle
