When it comes to sports movies, Coach Carter is often considered one of the greats. It is an inspiring film based on the true story of Ken Carter (played by Samuel L. Jackson) taking the head basketball coaching job at his alma mater, Richmond High School.
Upon arrival, Carter sees that his players are disrespectful and in need of discipline. Accordingly, he decides to implement rules for them to follow as a means to help them improve in basketball and prepare them to be successful post-high school.
Some of the rules include maintaining a 2.3 grade point average, wearing dress shirts and ties on gamedays, and sitting in the front row of all classes.
Initially, some players rejected Coach Carter’s discipline. Timo Cruz acted out of frustration by attempting to punch Carter in the first practice, but was subdued and told to leave the gym.
Throughout the movie, there was an ebb and flow of situations involving Coach Carter’s discipline of the players: the team rallying behind Timo Cruz to help him return to the team; Carter locking the gym in response to his players not meeting their grade point average requirement; and players working diligently to raise their grades back up to par.
Ultimately, Carter was able to get through to his players and never wavered from his initial stance on hard and necessary discipline.
The discipline Coach Carter established helped mold and grow his players into the young men he desired them to become. As their leader, his genuine love and care for them are what motivated his discipline.
It’s easy to judge the players in their often-poor reactions to such discipline, but how often do we display similar responses in spiritual discipline? How many times have we been angry at God for allowing trials in our lives instead of viewing them as necessary for spiritual growth?
The writer of Hebrews reminds us of the truth of discipline: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.
“Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:7-11; NIV).
When Coach Carter arrived on the first day and alerted his players of the challenges they were to face, many rejected him because none seemed pleasant. But, little did the players know that the trials would ultimately foster significant growth.
Just as they didn’t realize how much Coach Carter cared about them as his players, we similarly fall short of grasping God’s overwhelming love for us as His sons and daughters.
Although spiritual discipline isn’t always easy to embrace, let’s acknowledge that God allows trials to test and mature our faith. Today, as God faithfully guides us through discipline, let’s confidently and boldly proclaim His love for us.
I’m Luke Heaton and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Lord, thank you for graciously disciplining me. Thank you for growing me in my relationship with You through trials. I pray that I would be reminded of Your love for me even when trials seem so hard and unpleasant. Thank you for Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
- Are you experiencing any trials right now?
- How has God grown you through past trials and discipline?
