READY:
“When the Counselor comes, the one I will send to you from the Father – the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father – he will testify about me.” — John 15:26
SET:
Who mentored you in your coaching? When I began my coaching journey, an older coach with decades of experience mentored me. He pushed me when I tried to sit back. He listened to my ideas and taught me how to think more strategically about the game. He was also quick to put me in my place and remind me just who it was we were coaching when my emotions ran ahead of me. Ultimately, he was the one who encouraged me to apply for my first paid coaching job. I was a better coach because he was with me.
Jesus wraps up John 15 talking about the Counselor – the Holy Spirit – who will come after Jesus ascends. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit. The Spirit, Jesus tells us, “will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit is our Counselor and guide – our perfect mentor.
Earlier in John 13, Jesus assures the disciples (and us) that he is not leaving us to fend for ourselves but that the Spirit will be in us. Inside of us – the Spirit of God. Wow. When we face adversity, victory or the doldrums, the Spirit of God is within us to guide us on the perfect path. On the boring days, the hectic days and the days that never seem to end, the Spirit of God is within us to give us perfect truth. When we are facing persecution and the hatred Jesus warns about, the Spirit of God is within us – the enemy doesn’t stand a chance.
GO:
- Did you have a coaching mentor? Or did you mentor someone. Discuss that experience.
- How can you remember that the Spirit of God is within you?
WORKOUT:
OVERTIME:
“Father, thank You for the gift of Your Spirit in me. Thank You for a guide and Counselor to show me the way. Give me a discerning heart to know how to follow the Spirits leading because He only leads in truth. Thank You for this season of competition and all the lessons learned and friendships made. I am grateful for the gift of sport and coaching. In Jesus’ name, amen.”