My Personal Coach

The words 'personal relationship' have been so overused in Christian language that we sometimes forget what personal really means.  Each persons relationship is so unique, so individual, so highly catered to the distinct person God made us to be. Like a parent who raises each child differently based on that child's unique needs and gifts,  when God speaks to us, deals with us, blesses us... It's always highly personal. How he relates to us is beautiful and perfect. 

Recently my dad found himself in a situation that gave him insight into God the father. Because, as a father, he was feeling what God feels in the same scenario. I thought about how God could relate with fathers as a father and that got me thinking about my personal relating to God, or more specifically how He relates to me. And then a most massive light bulb went off!  I still can't believe I had never realized it... That so much of my life was mirroring my personal and specific relationship to God, so that in everything, I could experience Him more.   My 'Aha moment' inspired this poem:

The Lord is my Coach
I will not lose
He tells me when to rest
He tells me when to move

He's given me a team
To train along side
Each member, He hand-picked
Perfect chemistry that he designed

When I want to give up and quit
Because my world has gotten too intense
He is the master encourager
In Him I find renewed confidence

Coach has a fire that refines
But His love permeates His discipline
He's with me in the pain of the blaze
As He sloughs off my weaknesses and sin

He knows everything that I am capable of
Because it was Him that crafted and built me
So He continues to push and mold
Until  my potential, He makes complete

So I run to the glory of Him who trains me
And death will not overcome me in this race
One day I will reach the finish line
And Coach will be waiting there, me to embrace