Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God. 

Have you ever met someone who was not very coachable? Have you ever been married to someone who was not very coachable? Yeah, me neither, but I’ve read about them, though.

Sometimes they have red hair, four kids, and the voice of an angel. Sometimes. Anyways, I read about someone like that going on a snowboarding trip with their significant other, having never snowboarded before. The boyfriend had traveled the world over chasing snow to shred the gnar and was also a wise teacher of the snowboarding arts. The girl would listen periodically, and then take off like she was on her 4th X Games tour, only to crash and burn along the wood line somewhere down the slope. You see, sometimes we don’t always know how to do everything. Sometimes, it can sting to receive correction, critique, or instruction because it interferes with our pride and ego. If we can get beyond our pride and ego, growth and opportunity abound.

At the end of Hebrews, in chapter 13, the writer gives this final sendoff filled with exhortations. The author goes through a long list, from loving one another to marriage advice, to strange teachings, and everything in between. If we are lacking in any of the areas listed in chapter 13, it could be easy to dismiss the exhortations because they interfere with what WE want or how WE want to live. We must look beyond ourselves and look into the will of God for our lives. Hebrews 13:20-21 says, “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” God does two things for us because of this. He equips us with everything good that we may do His will, and He works in us that is pleasing in his sight. As we read this last chapter, it’s important to lean into the parts that make us uncomfortable and hone the parts we are already practicing. A good coach equips his team with the skills necessary to do the job. Two ears, one mouth. Listen to that coach twice as hard as you speak, so you can be equipped. Take these exhortations and listen to them. 

That reminds me of a time I was reading about this girl, who eventually learned to listen to the teachings of her coach and would go on to successfully navigate the mountain on a snowboard. Despite not always being coachable, she somehow managed to marry the man of her dreams and have a thousand kids. Or so I’ve read.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Take a few moments to reflect on the exhortations of Hebrews chapter 13. Do any of them strike a nerve? What can you do to work on these areas?
• Read Jeremiah 31:33.
• God’s will is not just written on paper or stone but on our hearts. It is worked IN us which causes us to feel and think and act in ways more pleasing to God.
• Prayer: God, help us to listen to Your Word and live it out. Let us be coachable and practice humility. Let Your instruction flow through our daily lives so that we may be more like You and that through us, people see Christ. We love You. Amen.

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.