READY:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17
SET:
The transformation that takes place with athletes is amazing. When I started coaching, I was a volunteer parent helping wrangle 13 second grade boys. At the very first practice of the basketball season, we lined up the boys and had them work on ball handling. A few could dribble, a few could almost dribble, but several had no idea what to do. Clearly, this was a skill we needed to spend time on; ball handling is fundamental to the game of basketball. There was one boy on the team who would disappear to the bathroom every time ball handling was on the practice plan. He didn’t know how to dribble or cross-over or go around the world or between his legs but instead of working to get better he hid and still couldn’t handle the ball.
We often hide too. We go to God but in a fake “I’ve got it all together” way. Be real. God knows all the things in our lives. He knows our faults and failures. There is no need to hide. That is so freeing. 2 Corinthians 3:17 paints the picture of this freedom. When we have a relationship with Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us and in that there is freedom. We are free to come before Him with our hurts, our disappointments, our celebrations and our dreams. We are free to be honest and real.
When we are in a growing relationship with Jesus, we will begin to reflect Him and His glory, and our lives will be transformed.
GO:
- What are areas you need to stop hiding from God and allow Him to transform?
- What are the disciplines you practice to encounter God and be transformed by Him?
WORKOUT:
- 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
- Matthew 5:16
- Psalm 27:1
OVERTIME:
“Lord, only with You is there real freedom. Thank You for that freedom. Embolden me to be honest and open with You so that I can be transformed. Guide me as I guide this team. In Your name, amen.”