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| |  | Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of m�agine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.
Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.�
Do you know someone
who might benefit
from our weekly email?
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Playing catch with God...
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When I was growing up in Lynwood, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, I'd grab my mitt and ball after school and pitch a simulated baseball game with my pitchback--a taut net stretched within a frame that stood in for a catcher. The pitchback would return either ground balls, or line drives, or fly balls in my direction. I must tell you...I made the most spectacular defensive plays that have never been seen. In my imagination, however, very few batters ever got any "wood" on the ball. More often than not, I'd pitch the ball past the stunned, imaginary batter, and the appreciative, imaginary catcher would leisurely toss the ball back to me on my imaginary mound. What a lovely pastime for a baseball-loving loner.
I still have a pitchback in the backyard. Our Lucy, however, assumes it's somehow designed for dogs; she delights in intercepting the ball before it returns to my mitt. Consequently, the pitchback goes largely unused these days.
But I do think of the pitchback from time to time. It shows up as a metaphor whenever I hear a well-meaning apprentice of Jesus speak of "surrendering their burdens to Jesus"; "laying their problems at the feet of the Lord"; or "casting their cares upon him." I've tried all of those. And maybe it's just me. But like the pitchback, Jesus keeps throwing them back to me. Swing and a miss.
But, then, maybe my expectations, like the imaginary batters whom I stared down as a boy, are unrealistic. A cardinal rule (can I say, "a "Dodger rule"?) common to both counseling and coaching is, "Never try to 'fix' anyone;" never assume responsibility for changing the poor behavior of another. We can be reasonably certain we're trying to fix someone and their issues if we're working harder on them than they are. Change must come from within; change--and learning--occur from working through the process.
Why then do I assume that God will behave any differently
and step in and "fix" me and my stuff?
On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus had a prime opportunity to intervene in the life of the apostle Peter, to "fix" him: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat." Jesus empathized with Peter and even feared the inevitable danger that the young, naive disciple faced. However, the best that Jesus could promise Peter was this: "I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32).
Although, then, Jesus will not assume ownership of our issues, he does offer this assurance, "I will plead in prayer for you." Prayer, defined by Dallas WIllard is, "Talking to God about what we are doing together" (The Divine Conspiracy, p. 242).
You may have a sense of aloneness. "But I will plead in prayer for you; I will talk to God about what we are doing together." You may endure hardship. "But I will plead in prayer for you; I will talk to God about what we are doing together." You may experience loss. "But I will plead in prayer for you; I will talk to God about what we are doing together."
This assurance is the essence of the high priestly ministry of Jesus:
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:14-16, NLT).
What's one issue that you keep surrendering to Jesus, and he in kind keeps surrendering back to you?
If Jesus' assurance is, "But I will plead in prayer for you; I will talk to God about what we are doing together," how might you best facilitate and join his efforts?
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Michael Fox
m�agine!
530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241 |
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In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--
as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.
Michael's books include
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.
Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.
Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.
View our archives!
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