Whether it’s basketball or football, players on the playing court are under a lot of pressure. Fans for your team are expecting a great performance from you, and those people who are against your team boo you and hope you make a mistake. Great athletes know that there is only one person in the audience who can tell whether they are meeting expectations or not. That person is the coach.
Last year, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, fans were banned from entering the stadium to watch sports events. However, the athletes still played hard because their coaches were there. The athletes knew that the coaches could tell if they tried their best.
Forty years ago, I read a book called “A Second Touch” by Keith Miller. It mentions that when you serve God at church, you have to face the pressure from others’ critiques plus constant self-examination. If you want to please everyone, you’ll fall into the trap of endless worries about what to do and not to do. To avoid this unhealthy mindset, you must view God as the coach, the person in the audience who knows you best.
While serving as a pastor at church, I formed the habit of shaking hands with brothers and sisters after worship. Someone might praise me, “Your sermon today helped me a lot.” A stirring warmth would creep into my heart. Another person might comment, “I don’t agree with your explanation of the Bible.” Unease would flood my mind.
Have I prepared well for my sermon? Have I tried my best? Do I love my brothers and sisters? Do I glorify Him?
God is the only one who can judge.
Of course, we have to listen to others’ opinions in order to improve. But don’t forget that in public or in private, God is the only one who watches you practice every day, cares about your well-being, and understands your struggles. He wants you to reach your greatest potential. If life is a game, just play for him.
- Ken, retired pastor. Ken served in 3 different churches from 1987-2020.
