As often as a friend has introduced me as one of his coaches, I do not think I have ever formally thought of him with a coaching mindset. As I look back, I cannot put my finger on any particular reason for my response. It could be that we have never spent time talking about the role and the responsibilities that comes with it for each party. There is also a chance that I thought he was using the title in a light-hearted way. Whatever the reason was and is, a recently discussion reset my perspective.
“Should I act now or wait? What would you recommend I do?”
In the moment I knew I was treading on dangerous ground. It would be easy to offer an answer that would be taken as a solution. In my mind, Life was screaming – “This is not your decision to take!” I listened and responded,
“If I was formally coaching you, I would strongly recommend you not take the decision now. Instead, I would give you homework assignments. Specifically, there are several questions I suggest you need to wrestle with and answer so that you can take an informed decision.”
“Really? Like what?”
What followed was by any other name a coaching session. What happens next will depend on his action. If he takes on the first assignment, then I will need to have the formal conversation I have been avoiding.
While I wait, I realize I have been reminded of the calling again, redux version x.0. The Psalmist described it this way; “Your job is to stand up for the powerless, and prosecute all those who exploit them.” (Psalm 82.4) My way of saying the same is that “I am called to nurture and defend God’s trees (individuals).”
I know that your words for what you are called to do will be different than mine. What is important is that you discover, embrace, and live out your calling. The process is an invitation to live life to the full! It is not always easy, but it is rewarding.
