Every great athlete had a coach who pushed them further than they ever thought they could go. Can you picture that person who encouraged you, motivated you and helped you become the person you are today?

Once an athlete makes the team, coachable hearts are prepared and ready to receive training. We listen to the coach’s words and model their actions. We trust the coach because they can see the big picture of where each player fits in the team and because we know our coach had the team’s best interests in mind. Our coachable hearts give 100% because we want to be the best athletes we can be, and in the end, we want to win!

Not every person has an experience with a coach like this, but every person can have this experience with the Ultimate Coach, also called the Master Teacher—Jesus Christ.

Just as Jesus drafted His team of disciples, He intentionally chooses us to be on His team. You are His first-round number one pick! He chose you to reach the people only you can reach in the space where He has placed you.

The moment we join Team Jesus, God ignites the gift of the Holy Spirit within us, and through His Word and life experiences, He gently transforms our hearts to be just like His. 

When we begin to understand this truth, our spirits move from being angry and overwhelmed to being teachable. In that same space, our pain becomes passion, our wounds become wisdom and our panic becomes peace. God’s Word helps us know the Master Teacher so we may follow Him and be fully capable and equipped for life. 

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Jesus saw each disciple for who they could become. He taught His followers by asking questions, sharing stories and living out who He was in front of them, so they could model their lives after His.

Jesus displayed love, mercy and grace to every person He met. He raised the disciples’ curiosity when He moved in ways with people that were against the cultural norm. Jesus knew, loved people, love people. Forgiven people, forgive people. Jesus taught by living out the expectations He had of His followers.

Just as Jesus drafted His team of disciples, He intentionally chooses us to be on His team. 
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

Hard times make us lean into Jesus for strength and resilience. It is in the moments of adversity where we learn the attributes of patience, forgiveness, grace and mercy. In that space, prideful hearts become trusting souls. 

“For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13)

God teaches us so we may know Him and then help others to see Him. This is when the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, invades our hearts with the strength and endurance to withstand the world we live in today.

Before Jesus left, He passed the baton to His students. “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.” (John 13:14 NIV)

And He gave the Great Commission: “Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”  (Matthew 28:18-20)

The Ultimate Coach trains the ultimate team, and we get to be a part of it! Let’s listen to Jesus, model His actions and trust His leadership. You fit on Team Jesus because He created you for the position He wants you to play! Every day He encourages, helps and motivates us to continue to be the best we can be physically, emotionally and spiritually in the space He has placed us so that those around us may know:

“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)

Consider: Are you ready to learn from the Master Teacher?

Action: Shift your focus from self to Savior and ask, “What do You want for me to learn from this?”

This quarter, we’re exploring what it means to Pursue Team. This month, our focus is on how to Draft the Team. Join us as we journey through this exploration and prepare to Commit to the Team next month.

One way to actively Pursue Team is through joining an FCA Huddle. The Huddle is one of FCA’s greatest teams. It is an important resource to help coaches and athletes grow in the essentials of their faith and become fully devoted followers of Christ. As a coach or athlete connects to an FCA Huddle, they will surround themselves with teammates who point to Jesus. Bring a friend and find a Huddle near you!

Want to learn more about pursuing team and surrounding yourself with the right spiritual teammates? Head to FCA in Action and read our August Pursue articles:

Anchor Article: Do the Work: Draft the Team

Article Two: Dedicated: Whatever the Cost

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR (need link) that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible. 

About the Author:

Mindy Lee Hopman is a Jewish believer, author, speaker, and curriculum specialist. She directs [THE] Huddle: For Women on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and currently serves as an Area Representative in the South Coastal Area. As the wife of a headmaster, Mindy and her husband have raised two of their own athletes and have helped to raise countless other athletes in the private-boarding school environments where they have lived. Mindy has a passion for helping female athletes and coaches understand their identity in Jesus and how their faith stories fit into the greatest story of all time. In Mindy’s free time she loves to run on the beach at sunrise or paddleboard up the creek! 

Connect with Mindy at mhopman@fca.org and get involved with her ministry HERE. 

-FCA-

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