Coaching from the Sidelines

Watching former head coach for the Colts, Tony Dungy, with his headsets on, pacing the sidelines during a football game in his calm demeanor was always intriguing; I don’t think I could be that calm when I coach. Watching Bill Laimbeer former head coach of the Detroit Shock, shoving his clip board to the floor in disgust because one of his players messed up a play, was also intriguing to watch-Don’t think I would do that either; I could be a blend of both I think-yet to be determined.

Each coach has a different approach on how they coach their teams. Regardless of one’s coaching style, two things are clear-they want to win and not one of the coaches will ever enter into a game to bail out a player. When it’s game day and the game is on the line, the coaches hope and pray that the time they spent during the week, months, years, explaining, planning, and executing their game plan with their players will translate to a W when the forty-eight, sixty, or ninety minutes are up.

In reading “The Leadership Game,” by Tim Mullins, I came across a section that talked about the dedication it takes for coaches to prepare for a game. Coach Bear Bryant said, ‘The typical fan has little concept of the amount of time that goes into planning a single football game…our staff will study, prepare, and plan one hour for every minute the players are on the football field….if you’re doing the math, that means sixty hours went into planning one game.” Considering how much time is spent preparing, I can understand why some coaches grow grey hairs pretty quickly afer seeing the opposite results on the field, it is heartbreaking to say the least. Suffice it to say, as fans, we would care less how much time it takes to prepare for a game-all we want to see is a win at the end of the day.

As I pondered on coaches on the sidelines coaching their hearts out, I asked myself a question-how does this apply to Christians? As Christians, our ultimate coach is Jesus Christ. Just like a regular coach, He has watched film of every opponent; He has seen their strengths and weakness; His support staff (Father and Holy Spirit) have spent time preparing, and planning for our next game-that challenge, that obstacle-you name it. Herein lies the difference between a Coach Dungy, Laimbeer, Van Gundy and a Coach Jesus; Coach Jesus has been there, done that, and has worn the tee-shirt. He went to the cross-He knows it all. He can defeat every foe that comes on His turf; however, He will not get into the game when we are on the field-He will be coaching from the sidelines-calling out the plays and He expects the team to execute every play based on the plan that has been prepared in the game room-plain and simple.

So you ask what kind of calls does Coach Jesus make from the sidelines? Glad you asked:

The sideline calls of Faith: “And without faith, it is impossible to please Him; for he whose comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

For as long as we walk out our Christian life, we cannot ignore the fact that Faith is what will keep us on this journey of life. I have heard it said countless times that faith is the currency of God’s Kingdom; therefore as money is for survival in the natural world, so faith is to our Christian walk. So when Coach calls your name-walk out in faith and do what you are supposed to do J He will not fail you. He has the game plan with a W at the end!

The sideline calls of the Word. “So will my Word be which goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to me empty without accomplishing what I desire and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55: 11

Faith and the Word of God go hand in hand. We cannot live our Christian walk without ever realizing that what will open those doors, sustain us when times are rough, give us joy in good or bad times, is the Word of God. Christ is our example; He used the Word to His advantage. When the enemy came to challenge Him, He fought back using God’s Word. Coach is watching over His Word to perform it-not our fears, doubts, thoughts-NO!! His Word and His Word only. Can you hear Coach from the sidelines encouraging you to use the Word on your next play?

The sideline calls of Prayer: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God…” Philippians 4:6

Simple communication is what keeps the plays moving on the field. The coach communicates with the players-the players communicate with the coach. Failure to do so will be very detrimental to the team, and one can kiss that championship ring goodbye if there is no communication going back and forth. It’s in the communication that one get instruction for the next play. Same with God; prayer is our communication with Him. Without this communication, our relationship with Him is suspect. Let’s talk to Him and Him talk to us-that way, when the plays are called, you know its Coach giving you great instruction for your next move! He knows it all-lets not be afraid to talk to Him-He has the game plan of life.

The sideline calls of Attitude. “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…” Philippians 2: 5-11

When we have stepped out in faith, stayed true to the Word, communicated with the coach, our attitude holds all things in place. There are times when a coach will call plays that are not comfortable or plays that will make one unhappy-that’s part of the game of sports!! All things considered, the coach has the best interest at heart for the team and he has to do whatever is necessary to win the game-what the coaches are expecting from their players is a good attitude in the process because this makes or breaks the team’s morale and momentum. When God calls a play that we may not be happy with, or comfortable with, He understands; He only expects our attitude to be one that demonstrates our trust in Him. Ultimately, He knows the plans He has for us! Can we have a great attitude when the Master Coach calls plays from the sidelines that may otherwise make us uncomfortable?

Let’s allow the Master Coach to do His job and let us be kingdom minded people who are willing to play the game because we know that Coach is on the sideline calling out the plays and He knows we will win!!! He is after all coaching from the sidelines! He’s that kind of Coach~

Living with Limitations

Michael Phelps captured my attention at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He won six gold and two bronze medals--impressive. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Phelps left me speechless. He holds the record for the most gold medals won at a single Olympics. He won eight medals--Ridiculous!!

Therefore, it was somewhat disappointing when I heard Phelps acknowledge his use of pot at a party at the University of South Carolina in November of 2008. Why Phelps? I asked. You could handle the pressure of winning 8 gold medals and not handle the pressure of pot? The debates have since sparked concerning his conduct because he is supposedly a role model and considering all the money he is getting from his endorsements, its a slap in the face. Some critics are saying that his sponsors are not setting the standard of responsibility--there are consequences to ones actions. Kellogg’s however has been the only sponsor who has taken action to date-dropping Phelps completely as one of their endorsers. I heard one critic, Dave Zirin, says, "If Kellogg’s really cared about kids, they would stop making frosted flakes and do something about child obesity in this country." I will leave that argument alone.

Pat Forde says of Phelps: "He was not prepared to live with the limitations he put himself in. He is no longer a normal twenty three year old, he is now in an unusual situation...you cannot be photographed holding a bong with your face over it...." As I pondered that statement, something jumped out at me in Forde's observation. "He (Phelps) was not prepared to live with the limitations he put himself in." With all the accolades, endorsements, and notoriety, Phelps maybe never completely understood that he was no longer a "regular" 23 year old. The tide had turned when he decided to pursue his dreams and become a professional athlete. Every move he made would be scrutinized to the maximum, especially if you win 8 gold medals in one Olympic.

Not to be so hard on Phelps though, there have also been Christians who have had their personal shares of scrutiny. Just recently, Rev. Ted Haggard has been in the media talking about his gay sexual allegations from two years ago. The community of believers is divided on his actions. Some believe Rev. Haggard has been contrite and that he has helped some acknowledge their personal struggles. Others have disapproved of his "media blitz" stating he is not ready to talk to the community because he is not being truthful. Needless to say, the debates can go on with regards to Phelps or Haggard. This one thing I can say however-we all have demons to fight each day, whether Haggard, Phelps, Barkley, Swaggart, super bowl XLIII MVP Holmes, Weeks, now A-Rod.... we ALL have issues. The only difference in these situations (Phelps/Haggard etc) is that their issues were made public because of the notoriety that comes with their “popularity.”

There are a number of 23 year olds walking the streets smoking pot. There are a number of pastors sleeping around and still preaching. For the Christian however, in private or in public, we have a greater audience than CNN, NBC, CBS, ESPN, to mention but a few. Our audience is God and whether our issues are made public or not, this one this we do know, God knows. I am not trying to sound the "overly righteous trumpet" because I am mindful of what Galatians 6:1-5 tells us:

"Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might need forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived...." (Message Bible.)

However, there is also Scripture that allows us to take stock of our lives and it calls us to take personal responsibility of our actions like the one below:

I Corinthians 6:12

NIV-"Everything is permissible for me"-but not everything is permissible for me"-but I will not be mastered by anything."

NLT-"You may say, 'I am allowed to do anything.' But I reply, 'Not everything is good for you.' And even though "I am allowed to day anything, I must not become a slave to anything."

I believe as Christians, we are sometimes not prepared to live with limitations set by God for our lives, as in the case of Phelps set by the public eye. We want to live a life of "freedom" but may I suggest that our freedom is in our "limitations” within Christ. Apostle Paul, one of the greatest minds of the New Testament acknowledged that we can do whatever we want to do, but when all is said and done, not all things are lawful. He understood the consequences of living a life without limitations. The tension between the fleshly passions and what God is calling us to becomes "overbearing" in our minds. But when we understand and know that God knows better, we are free to live with our limitations. God forbid that we act on every action that comes to mind. We have a responsibility as Christians to be mindful of places we go to, things we watch, conversations we engage in, things we read, people we spend our time with etc. It may not necessarily be a picture taken of us with a bong showing on every media outlet, but we sure have one who looks at us who is greater.

I often wonder what would have happened if Phelps had friends who pulled him aside before he took the bong and challenged him on the responsibility of limitations he has to a generation. Maybe the conversation would have gone something like this:

Phelps: Hey, can I try that? Is that Marijuana?

Friend: Dude, you are Michael Phelps, you may want to reconsider your request.

Phelps: Dude, no harm. It will only be a minute:

Friend: C'mon man; you don't want to do this. Remember the fall out you had when you were caught drunk? What will you say this time if you are caught?

Phelps: What's your problem man? No one will know, there are no cameras around.

Friend: I am only trying to help you Mr. 14 gold and 2 bronze medals. You have so much weighing on your shoulders. I would hate to see your name dragged in the mad. Think about the consequences of your actions. You can do your thing, but just remember it may come back to haunt you. Instant gratification is but for a minute, but the consequences may be a lifetime.

Phelps: Hmm!!! (Pondering hard)

Whatever happened after that would have been Michael's own decision, but at least he would have had time to think through his actions because a friend or two cared that deeply for him--assuming a friend did not pull him aside:

Side note: Be careful of friends who are not looking out for your own good, wanting to drag you down in their mess. Call is legalism, religious, etc; there is a price to pay in following Christ. It is in our limitations that we find freedom in Him. We may never understand it on this side of heaven, but be rest assured, one day we will be thankful that we set limitations on ourselves.

Dr. Benjamin Crandall, former president of Zion Bible College, always made this statement in chapel often; "Your gift will take you places where your character cannot keep you." My prayer for each one of us, more so Christians, is that we do not make excuses for our actions, but be responsible grown men and women who take responsibility. We need to begin to set limitations on our lives. No one is perfect. God is pretty familiar with that story. God has, however, given us the ability to live a life that can be free of drama if we let Him. It’s called dying to the flesh. We are all a work in progress.

So here is the challenge:

If you think of cussing, is it worth an audience with God?

If you think of premarital sex, is it worth an audience with God?

If you think of telling a lie, is it worth an audience with God?

If you think of smoking a joint, is it worth an audience with God?

If you think of watching something, is it worth an audience with God?

If you think of not reading something, is it worth an audience with God?

There is a greater audience other than ESPN, CBS, and Fox News!!

I end with this, "Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or brought under its power." I pray I only become a slave to that which Christ asks of me; that is the limitation I am willing to live with at all times!