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~