Spiritual Training Cycle: Submission (wk. 2/13)
Who’s your coach? Because coaching matters.
My first attempt at CrossFit was a bust. The workout was push press; The coach was inexperienced; And by the end, I was injured. It took me almost a year before I stepped back into a gym. Fortunately, I found a more experienced, less ego-driven coach who took my safety seriously. And 10 years later, I’m stronger, fitter, and healthier because of her. Coaching matters. Ted Lasso taught us that. And chances are as you look back over your life, you can point to one or two coaches (in sports or in life) who helped shaped who you are today.
GOOD COACHES DO A FEW GREAT THINGS
Coaches help you see what you can’t. A good coach finds the little things that make a big difference. Weight transfer, timing, body positions, core engagement, and proper rest all have massive impacts on performance. Great coaches help you see the little things that can have a big impact on your performance.
Coaches set priorities. Coaches play a pivotal role in guiding us toward what matters in the present moment. Whether your goal is winning, lifting more, running faster, or achieving weight loss, coaches help identify the crucial priorities lying between you and your aspirations.
Coaches encourage you. We need cheerleaders in our lives who think everything we do is awesome. Coaches are different. They help us face the hard realities of our situation and walk through it with us. Where there is fear, they give us courage.
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE NEEDS A COACH
It’s best to think about your spiritual life as your inner life – your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Paul calls this the “mind or mindset,” and it can either be governed (or coached) by the flesh or the Spirit of God. The flesh is the Bible’s way of talking about our natural selfishness. As adults, we learn to hide our selfishness, envy, grudges, and pettiness. But when the flesh takes over, trouble soon follows. Relationships suffer, bad habits corrupt good intentions, fear replaces joy, and pandemonium ensues.
Just like you need coaches for your body, you need a coach for your soul. God gives us His Spirit as a coach for our inner lives. When the Holy Spirit becomes your coach, here’s what to expect:
The Spirit of God helps us see what we can’t see ourselves. The way our actions and attitudes hinder us and hurt others. Opportunities to bless others and be blessed, and how God’s love is unfolding in our hearts.
The Spirit of God sets our priorities. As you listen to the Spirit’s coaching, you’ll find things that once mattered a lot to you fade into the background (people’s opinions, having the coolest technology or fashion, even things like grudges).
The Spirit of God pours courage into our hearts. Whether it’s saying no to a bad habit, ending an unhealthy relationship, or sharing your faith in God, it takes courage to follow Jesus. When we rely on the Spirit and are honest about our fears, God places His power, resolve, and confidence into our hearts to follow Him.
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Romans 8:5
SWITCHING COACHES
In the movie Creed, when young Adonis Creed wants to train with Rocky, he leaves behind his comfortable life in Beverly Hills to join his new coach in the slums of Philadelphia. To train with Rocky, he had to live like Rocky. The same is true for us. If we’re going to allow the Spirit to coach us, we need to live alongside the Spirit. Here are three ways to start:
Be with the Spirit. The Spirit of God is everywhere, but there are places where it is easier to find Him. This is why spiritual communities are so important. Find a church, HOPE Group, or set of friends that encourage you to connect with the Spirit.
Choose the things of the Spirit. Whether it’s sleep, food, or friends you train with, every decision is part of the process. The same is true for following the Spirit. Every decision is either from your coach, the Spirit, or your former coach, the flesh.
Rely on the Spirit. In every great coaching story, there is a moment when the athlete questions the coach. You’ll have the same moments in your walk with God – places and points where following God doesn’t make sense. That’s the time to dig deep and trust that God has a plan.
Who’s your coach? Because coaching matters.
Questions for Reflection:
Can you tell the difference between the coaching of the flesh and the coaching of the Spirit?
When have you had to rely on the Spirit of God? How did it turn out?
Do you have a community that helps you find and follow the Spirit?