Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’. (Isaiah 30:21, NIV)
It was a local tournament. My ball was in the rough, behind two trees with a narrow opening, 170 yards from the green. I couldn’t afford to “take my medicine” at this point. I had to go for it. I had been coached for this shot at some point, but now winning the hole to stay in the competition was at stake. I selected my club and stood behind the ball, picking my aim point.
As I visualized the shot, I heard a quiet voice say, “You got this”. The fear and tension drained from my body as I recognized the voice of the one who knew my skill level best and loved me most.
My husband/coach had just won his tournament, and instead of celebrating, came back to check on me. When I heard those words, my body filled with the confidence I needed to pull off the low missile straight to the green.
I coached for many years. As a gymnastics coach, I knew that what I said during training made the difference between a well-executed skill and a potential disaster. At times, their lives were literally in my hands.
Fear had no place in performance. When I coached youth soccer, I would tell those little scooters, “Out there, you hear only My voice. Mine is the only one that matters. You will have many distractions and hear many voices. Listen only to me.”
The prophet Isaiah tells us in Chapter 30 that the people of Judah were in great need of a coach. The Assyrians were threatening them. But instead of managing their course by listening and following God’s lead, they turned to the Egyptians for help.
They let their fear of the Assyrians and the distractions of the Egyptians sway their decision. The result was chaos and destruction.
God had promised the people of Judah, just as He promises us today, that He will be with us to guide us down the right path. He is the coach we can depend on.
James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God…and it will be given”. His voice is the one voice we should hear above all voices.
We can avoid personal chaos if we rid ourselves of the noise and distractions and listen to Him. He tells us through the prophet Jeremiah, “‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give hope and a future’”.
Let’s join the winningest team ever and follow His game plan for our lives. One that gives us hope and a future.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your desire to coach me through our daily walk. Help me hear your still, small voice in a world filled with distractions and fear. May I glorify your name in this big game of life. Amen.