by Shannon Caughey

Charles Blondin was the world’s greatest tightrope walker in the 19^th century. With 25,000 spectators watching in 1859, Blondin became the first person in history to walk on a tightrope across Niagara Falls—and he did so without a net or safety harness. In the days following, he made many more tightrope walks across the Falls. Once he carried his manager piggyback while doing so. On another occasion, he pushed a wheelbarrow loaded with 350 pounds of cement. 

One time, Blondin asked the crowd if they thought he could push a man across sitting in a wheelbarrow. The people roared their approval. Spotting one man cheering loudly, Blondin inquired of him, “Sir, do you think I could safely carry you across in this wheelbarrow?” The man replied, “Yes, of course.” Blondin smiled and said, “Then get in.” But the man refused. While he indicated he trusted Blondin, the man wasn’t willing to act according to that trust.

As a coach, you want your players to trust you and your leadership. It’s not enough for them to say that they trust you, however. They need to follow your instructions. Genuine trust is demonstrated by actions.

The same is true for us when it comes to what God speaks to us in the Bible. In this series of devotions, we’re considering what Psalm 119 says about God’s Word and why it’s central to coaching. God makes himself and his design for us known through the Bible, addressing every dimension of who we are and what we do. In the last devotion, we saw that we respond to the Bible by trusting it. Now let’s go a step further: to trust God’s Word is to live by it.

Psalm 119:2-3 says, “Happy are those who keep his decrees and seek him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways.” We experience the happiness and blessings of God as we follow his decrees and walk in his ways. Because this is true, the psalmist says of God (v. 4), “You have commanded that your precepts be diligently kept.” Here are a few of the many benefits of diligently doing what the Lord says: acting according to God’s Word fills us with hope (v. 49), keeps us from being put to shame (v. 80), gives us life (v. 93), directs us to live wisely (v. 98), enables us to do what is right (v. 138), and fills us with peace (v. 165).

Coaching clinics and books have their place in helping you consider what to do as a coach. More foundationally, however, is the instruction of God’s Word. While the Bible doesn’t tell you what play you should run or what’s the best offseason training regiment, it speaks to dimensions of deeper importance for successful coaching. God’s Word directs you in how to love the Lord through how you treat your athletes and fellow coaches, what to say or not say, what you do when angry, how to avoid temptation, what to prioritize…and so many other things. 

Do you want to walk in God’s ways as a coach whose faith is in Christ? Read, study, reflect on, and apply what God says through his Word. There is no other way. Trust the Bible, and demonstrate that trust through daily living by it.

For reflection: Praise God that keeping his Word brings life, hope, wisdom, peace, and so many other blessings from him. Pray for his power and grace to diligently live according to God’s Word today and each day.