Every coach can tell stories of uncoachable players. There is honestly nothing more frustrating than a player who has some potential, but is unwilling to listen and implement instruction. Some are skeptical about what they’re being told. Others are simply unwilling to listen at all. Either way, uncoachable players are difficult. They make coaching a frustrating experience.
Imagine how God feels with us as we go through life. How many of us are “uncoachable” in the way we approach life? How many sing Sinatra’s “My Way” with pride? How many of us make it up as we go, admiring ourselves for our trailblazing abilities? Let’s be honest, most of us are uncoachable.
Here’s what the wisdom of the Bible says in Proverbs 1:1-4–“The proverbs…for gaining wisdom and being instructed; for understanding insightful sayings; for receiving wise instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity; for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man…” (HCSB).
Are you constantly gaining wisdom as a person, a player, a coach, a parent? Do you struggle to know how to handle those positions you’ve been given? Do you do everything with righteousness, justice, and integrity? Are there elements of your life that you wish you had more experience, knowledge, and discretion in?
You don’t have to make up life, coaching, parenting, or playing ball as you go. There is a way to receive instruction that won’t require you to simply “learn from mistakes.” It’s called biblical wisdom. Proverbs is full of it. So is the rest of Scripture. The question, then, is “are you coachable?” Lean in to God’s Word and He will instruct you in all things. Be coachable and He will guide you.
Here’s a prayer:
Lord Jesus, make me coachable and useful to you. Teach me wisdom, knowledge, experience, and all I need for the positions you’ve give me in life. I don’t want to just make it up as I go. Amen.
