This is Jesus your coach !

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

This is Jesus your coach !

Search the Scriptures

But I say to you : Love your enemies (...) and pray for those who mistreat you (...) that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5.44,45

When I was a child, I participated in many stick twirling sports competitions. I remember that day when they tried to teach me a new trick. After dozens of attempts, I still couldn't. Frustration and anger kneaded my heart.

My coach insisted that I continue my efforts... I took a dislike to her... I finished training, but I was furious. In the weeks that followed, I refused to work on this famous figure, which prevented me from progressing in the rankings...

When God puts us in an "exercise" situation, we are stretched, destabilized, sometimes even a little lost...

Two possibilities are available to us :

Trust God (our coach par excellence) and persevere

Decide on our own and stop

Of course, it's not easy. Loving our neighbours... who keep partying late into the night, blessing that person who betrayed us, praying for that colleague who doesn't deserve it at all (in our eyes)... It's not not easy. In a way, you might even think that's not fair.

But, in the end, the coach and the jury is the Lord. It is he who says what is right or wrong and who decides whether we have succeeded or not. And what he's saying is : "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you." (Matthew 5.44)

But why does he say that ? "so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven (...)." (Matthew 5.45)

To act as God expects, and hears, requires going beyond ourselves, but what encouragement... "so that you may be sons (and daughters) of your Father who is in heaven !"

Let's not stop growing, running, progressing. Let us persevere and become true disciples of Christ.

Listen the voice of God

Persevering in what God asks of us is not easy and requires patience and courage. Let's take the time together to listen to what God wants to say to us.

God loves you and wants you to come to him. Here is an example of a prayer : "Lord, I want to follow your example and go beyond my abilities in everything you ask of me. I need your help to win the race and not give up when it's too much. difficult. Amen."

Praise God

God makes you his child, what a grace and what a privilege ! Praise him with all your heart for his love for you. He does not condemn you or reject you when you fall, but He lifts you up and sustains you. You can thank him for his infinite patience with you.

Act today

You can grow in obedience every day, taking small steps of faith with the assurance of being loved and accepted just as you are, even when you are not able to do so. Also practice loving and blessing those around you, even when it takes a lot of effort.

Honor the Lord

Our journey for the day ends. Let us pray together to honor our God.

"Thank you Dad for allowing me to become a true disciple according to your will. To you be the kingdom, the power and the glory, amen !"

Audrey Salafranque

Source (The Thought of the Day)