The Greatest Coach Ever

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33 (NIV)

• A couple of months ago I was able to finish Tony Dungy’s book “Quiet Strength” a quick commercial: this was a great book for leaders both in the church and in the market place. Yes, ladies it’s football, but there was a lot more than that it included: family, struggles, joy, death, victory, and JESUS. This book really touched my life especially seeing the values of a man of God being implemented onto the field and into his players. In my eyes, Coach Dungy was and still is one of my favorite coaches of all time. There are other several coaches that can arguably be the greatest coaches ever like Vince Lombardi, Bill Walsh, John Wooden are just a few that are on the top of my list. But to say these men are the greatest coaches, but not mention this one name is an understatement. This man never played on a field, probably never had to wear a cup, and maybe never had a chance to hold up a trophy in front of millions of people; yet this man goes down to be the GREATEST COACH EVER, His name is Jesus.
• In my life I have had the privilege to play a lot of sports and have had several caoches but there are only a few that were able to bring out the best, and those few had a couple things in common. I think my top 3 coaches had to be:
1. The first team I ever played in was bronco league, I played on the Daly City Royals and my coach was this young man named Anthony.
2. I decided to muster up some courage and finally play football my junior year, I was a linebacker, but a small one, our assistant coach was this short Mexican named Coach Rick, he was small but don’t be fooled by his size.
3. The last person on my list never had the title of “coach” but he always trained with me and worked out with me, and that is my brother Orlando, a.k.a. O-Dogg. What made these coaches so great in my life? Well...
o They believed in me - I was never good in sports, I was always the chubby kid in the back that couldn’t wait to get home to watch cartoons. I never saw myself as an athlete.
o They spent time with me - Time is so valuable nowadays that you wouldn’t just go spend it on something that isn’t worth it. These men spent their precious time with a kid who at times got on their nerves.
o They shared - I love hearing stories, especially stories about real people who defeated real odds. These coaches always shared their stories of when their back was against the wall, but somehow, someway they overcame... now that’s inspirational.
o They got in my face - Like I said coach Rick was small, but when we failed an assignment he let us know, and I swear this little Mexican became HUGE. Although I never enjoyed when they got in my face, it made me more aware not to blow my assignments.
o They encouraged - No matter how bad the score was, no matter how hopeless I might have seemed, their outlook was different than mine. Their words lifted my confidence when I was facing guys who were twice my size.
• I have been given the chance to be under many great coaches, but there is one Coach that is above the rest and that is You, Jesus. As a player I know I can get hard headed but allow me to follow You, listen to Your plays, accept Your confrontation, and believe in Your words.