Listen To The Coach

The American Olympic boxing team suffered a bitter defeat this past Tuesday (8\12\08) in Beijing. Greg Beacham, an AP sports writer, shares his perspective on the bout with us: “While Lee Ok-sung got his glove fixed with 35 seconds left, Rau’shee Warren turned in his neutral corner and searched for a clear voice in the cacophony of shouted advice. Warren swore he heard somebody in the stands yelling “Move! Move!”, meaning the world champion flyweight had the lead and should simply avoid getting punched to win. His coaches were screaming the opposite message from their ringside seats, because Warren actually trailed 9-8 and needed to attack. In a painfully perfect illustration of what might be the U.S boxing team’s biggest problem, Warren listened to what he thought his friends, family or teammates were telling him. It cost him a chance at the medal he waited four years to hand around his mother’s neck” (sports.yahoo.com).

We live in a world that competes for our attention. Our family says one thing. A friend says something else. A co-worker offers a totally different perspective. And like a confused boxer in the final seconds of a crucial bout, we struggle to sort out all of the various messages we hear shouted at us. But what is the best advice in times like that? Listen to your coach! In Proverbs, Solomon warns his son against heeding the call of the adulteress (7:6-23). Instead, he coaches him to listen to wise counsel: “Now, therefore, my sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words of my mouth. Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths” (7:24-25).

With his Olympic dreams lying shattered at his feet, I’m sure Rau’shee Warren wishes now he had paid attention to his coach instead of the crowd. But sadly for him, it is a lesson learned too late. May God help us to listen to Him as we seek to win the spiritual battles in our own lives.

God loves you!
Mike