Are You Coachable?

A few years ago I did some assistant coaching for my high school baseball team.

I was a volunteer and coached alongside the freshman team’s head coach for two seasons.

I love baseball. I love playing baseball. And because of the experience I had, I now love coaching baseball.

I couldn’t help but think of my playing days while I was coaching.

I kept asking myself this question:

As a player, was I coachable?

I sure hope so, because I came across quite a few players who were anything but coachable.

Youth ministry… well ministry in general I suppose has many similarities to coaching.

In ministry we’re trying to help people connect with God, live better lives, and reach their full potential.

As a pastor, I enjoy helping people and leading them forward in life.

I thoroughly love what I do.

However I’ve started to notice something.

I would much rather coach a student through his “tough stuff” than actually have to live through that “tough stuff” myself.

Obviously that’s not any great revelation; if given the choice, most people would choose to help rather than go through pain themselves.

Here’s what I’m getting at:

The fact that I’m a leader does NOT make me immune from going through rough days.

The question is: Am I  still coachable?

When people are going through difficult times I love to quote things like this:

We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. (Romans 8.28, The Voice Bible)

Or this one from Isaiah 41.10:

Don’t be afraid. I am here, with you; don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, help you. I am here with My right hand to make right and to hold you up. (The Voice Bible)

Those sound great, inspiring even, but they are pointless and meaningless if when I, “the leader”, am having a rough time and disregard them.

As a leader, some of my best strengths are to encourage, be confident, and believe the best.

Those traits can also be applied to me.

I can encourage myself when confronted with tough situations.

I can be confident that God is for me no matter what I face.

I can choose to believe the best even when the odds are stacked against me.

Not only can I…

I must.

Final question:

Are you coachable?