As a Carolina Panthers fan, the week has been pretty wild with head coach Ron Rivera being fired. Although somewhat sudden, it's not necessarily surprising.
Rivera has been a standup coach and a great leader during his tenure in Charlotte, but new owner David Tepper has decided to go in a different direction.
Since Rivera was already in place when Tepper arrived, bringing in his own guy is understandable. It’s so critical that the owner, general manager, and head coach are all on the same page.
They must have similar philosophies and a desire to head in the same direction as a franchise, and also communicate like-minded messages.
From a player’s perspective, the head coach is the one they are being led by day in day out. Success for teams happens when players are actually listening to their head coach and allowing themselves to be led by him.
The head coach is the one teaching and explaining what the players need to do, reminding them how they need to act on and off the field, and directing them toward ways they can overcome the schemes of their opponents.
The head coach must be in sync with the owner and general manager and be their voice to the players. It’s up to the players to follow him or not.
I believe we can find some similarities to the way God operates and how we respond. God is triune, which means He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Being One, they are on the same page, connected, and in sync.
Before Jesus returned to Heaven, He explained to the disciples in John 14:26 (NLT), "But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you."
As followers of Jesus, we have been given the Holy Spirit to act as our “head coach.” He is there to lead and guide us. He’s the one explaining what we need to do, reminding us how to act, and directing us toward ways we can overcome the schemes of our opponents. It’s up to us to follow His promptings or not.
Just like players must submit to the leadership of their head coach instead of choosing their own selfish ways, we must submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading in our own lives instead of our sinful and selfish nature.
The Bible says in Romans 8:12-14 (AMP), "So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh , to live according to the flesh —for if you are living according to the flesh, you are going to die.
"But if by the Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will live forever. For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
Today, we must decide who we want to be led by. Does our current “head coach” need to be fired so we can allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit of God?
Knowing that God’s Holy Spirit leads us into truth...peace...joy...and life everlasting, let’s yield to His direction today! I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit to lead me and guide me. Help me not to live according to my flesh or the world, but rather Your Spirit that lives within me. Teach me to discern what You’re prompting me to do. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
How would you explain the difference between following the leading of the Holy Spirit and following your own way?
What areas of your life do you need to yield more to the Spirit?
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