Once upon a time, there was a coach (or a parent). He was the kind of coach to be admired. Wise. A quick thinker. Patient with others. Humble. He’s the guy for whom everyone wanted to play. He’s the one everyone wanted to emulate. And then something happened. He crashed. Though he was a follower of Jesus, he allowed a gap to grow between his words of wisdom and who he was on the inside. Outwardly, he helped everyone and was admired. Inwardly, his soul was parched and crumbling. Unfortunately, he never took his own advice and he eventually crashed hard. This story isn’t new or unique.
Another sad story like this comes from the first verse of Proverbs 1. “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel.”
Huh? That doesn’t sound much like a sad story. Yet, when you couple the fact that Solomon is credited with writing the vast majority of the Proverbs with the story of his own demise late in life (1 Kings 11), it’s obvious that Solomon didn’t take his own advice about wisdom and understanding. Clearly, there were times when he thrived, but the ultimate outcome of his life is sad and disappointing.
What will your story be? Are you doling out advice to others, seeking to lead and guide them in wisdom? If so, are you taking your own advice? Or, is there a gap between what you say and who you really are?
There is only one person who can close the gap for you. His name is Jesus. You can’t do it on your own, so stop trying. Only by full surrender to your Savior can you be enabled to follow the words of Scripture found in places like Proverbs.
Coach, parent, player, Jesus has a full life designed for you and it begins and continues as you are filled daily by His Holy Spirit.
Here’s a prayer:
Lord Jesus, I can’t do this on my own. Life, coaching, parenting, none of it. I can’t do it. I know that trying harder will just wear me out and not get me closer to you. I need you, and you alone, to fill me, to live through me, to close the gap between who I am on the outside and who I am inside. I surrender. Live through me. Close the gap. Amen.
