A Word With You - Let the Coach Place You - #10286

Our local high school football team had the most dramatic turn around I think I’ve ever seen in a high school team. They had only scored in two games the season before. A new coach took over, and the next season they were in the state championship and were on top many years after that! They actually had a coach who molded winners. And I had a son who was coming up in the ranks and would soon be playing football for him. I pointed out to my son this coach’s successes and one of the reasons why he was so successful. See, my son had said to me, “Dad, I want to play," and he told me the position he’d like to play. And I said, “Well, listen. You need to trust that coach, because one of his gifts is knowing what position each guy is going to play best.” Now, this coach would change players’ positions around and that often would meet with great resistance from them. They'd say, “Hey, Coach, I want to be a ______.” They’d fill in the blank with whatever position they thought they should play. And he’d say, “No, you’re going to play this position.” They’d end up being all-conference, all-county, and thanking the coach. So, I told my son to trust the coach for the best position to play. I’m going to tell you the same thing. I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Let the Coach Place You.” Our word for today from the Word of God begins in John 21:17-19. Jesus is talking to Peter and he says, “’Peter, feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted, but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’” Well, Peter turned and saw John following them. And when Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? But you must follow Me.’” Interesting! Peter seems to be questioning the coach here. He’s questioning, in a sense, the position he’s going to play compared to the position John’s going to play. Now, the Lord has a position on His team that you are created to play, that you’re gifted to play. And He’s saying to you like He said to Peter “Don’t worry about somebody else’s position. You play your assignment.” And each of us has one. We know that from 1 Corinthians 12:6, “There are different kinds of working, but the same God works them in all men. That includes all believers. To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” Now, first of all, you’ve got to believe He has a position for you to play in His family, in His work on earth. Because it says all believers have it. Secondly, you trust Him to give you the assignment where you can do the most. It may not be the position you wanted to play, like some of the guys on our local football team. Maybe you wanted to be in front and He’s got you working backstage. Maybe you wanted to be backstage and He’s got you working in front. Maybe you wanted to lead and He has you being a follower right now, or you want to follow and He’s pushing you to be a leader. Maybe He’s teaching you to learn to do humble tasks right now. Maybe you want to be doing right now and He’s actually assigned you to be preparing instead. You see, our Coach not only sees your talents, He sees your potential. He created it after all. So don’t chafe if He asks you to play a position that is different from the one you want. He’s the one who wired you, created you, and He has assigned you for a very specific assignment. And He knows where you’ll play the best, and He knows what position will do the most for you and for His Kingdom. So, hang in with the assignment the Coach has given you. You are right now where