READY:
SET:
The greatest joy in my coaching career came during the last youth basketball game I coached in 2023. I didn’t have joy because we won, we lost. I had joy because after five years of coaching, the team finally played an entire game as a team. In that final game of their youth career, they moved the ball around, they communicated on the court, and they celebrated one another.
After years of instructing them, they finally executed and the result was joy. In John 15:11, Jesus is sharing the same sentiment. “I have told you these things . . .” – He is referring to all He taught in John 14 and 15. As Jesus prepares for the cross, He tries to impart the encouragement and wisdom the disciples will need after He is gone. It is a bit like the frantic directions coaches give during a time out.
The repetition of remain is what should stick out. Like a basketball coach who yells, “Box out!” a few hundred times, Jesus call for us to remain requires our attention. The joy of Jesus comes when we remain in Him. When we stick with Him through all the ups and downs. When we continue reading and learning about Him through daily Scripture reading. When we persist in growing our relationship with Him through prayer.
Our joy is complete when we remain in Jesus, produce fruit and keep His commands. Not every season feels like joy. Some seasons feel pretty difficult, but joy is not the same as happiness. Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of everything and the determined choice to praise Him always.
GO:
- What has been a joyful moment in your coaching career?
- How can you ensure you remain in Jesus?
WORKOUT:
OVERTIME:
“Lord, I am grateful that You share Your joy with us. Enable me to remain in You. Give me the self-control to keep Your commands. Forgive me when I fail. Continue to grow us together in relationship. Thank You for this season of coaching and the team. In Jesus’ name, amen.”