Coaching through Christ

Coaching gymnastics has been a part of my life since I was sixteen years old. More of my life has been spent coaching and in the gym, than not. That being said, I still get nervous before the first day of tryouts every year. I am not sure if it is empathy for the masses that will walk into the little gym after school, or if it is my own desire to be sure that everything is in place as it ought to be. Perhaps it is a bit of both. Either way, the butterflies come as the time draws near, yet the moment the first girl walks into the gym, all fear fades away, and I am home.

 

Despite this being a space where I know that the Lord has both called and equipped me, I imagine the nerves are a blessing. Because I get nervous, I remain dependant on Him. Though coaching is operating in an area of strength, I am ever aware of my need for Christ to be present. If I am not functioning in His grace, the girls will know the difference. Coaching is so much more than training up gymnasts, it is about creating confidence in young ladies, where they may not have had confidence before. My hope is that they will walk out of the gym having discovered that they can do more than they ever thought they could.

 

Girls are not allowed to say “can’t” in our gym. Essentially, they are discovering that they “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us,” – (Philippians 4:13) through ongoing acts of faith. It requires faith in their coaches and faith in themselves to attempt new skills and take on new challenges. For those who are willing, great goals are achieved, and new confidence is discovered.

 

Our lives ought to operate the same way. Can’t should not be a part of our vocabulary. If God calls us to it, He will make a way for us to get through it. The seemingly impossible is possible in Christ. It is only through His strength that we can discover how much more He has made us to be, if we are only willing to walk where He calls. May we rise up in His strength, and go forth, trusting that He is faithful to supply all that is needed to answer that which He asks.

 

When working in strength,

or a deficit;

rely on the Lord,

our hope to beget.

For there is no can’t,

when the Lord has called;

He’ll grant what’s needed,

Provider of all.

May we rise in faith,

trust His strength, go forth;

know that He is faithful,

our tried and true north.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to walk us through whatever You call us to do. Thank You that nerves remind us of our need for You, even in our areas of strength. Thank You that You are loving and kind, and that You care about the little things too. Forgive us for the times that we try to operate in our own strength, rather than rely on You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may learn to lean on You in all things and at all times. Let us love others as You love us, and may many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we go forth in Your strength in all that we do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

When times are good, be happy. – Ecclesiastes 7:14

When Weakness is Strength

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – (2 Corinthians 12:10)

 

Considering Paul’s experiences, he had plenty of practice in each of the above-mentioned trials. Paul had been ship-wrecked, stoned, beaten, slandered, suffered some sort of ongoing ailment, and had the constant concern of the development of the young church to contend with. Despite all of these things, Paul chose to delight in his struggles, for in them, he was drawn closer and more dependant on Christ. In fact, it was in the spaces that were likely perceived as weaknesses, that Christ spoke the most mightily through Paul.

 

Though I do not necessarily delight in my struggles, I am grateful that Christ is the One to whom I can cling. In the midst of suffering, He is my comfort. When I feel as though I do not have the strength to move forward, He provides the strength necessary to keep taking each next step. As I trust, I am constantly in awe at what He does through seemingly small steps of obedience. Christ takes our weakness, and shows His strength in ways that we never could. May our hearts hold fast to He who is our strength, and may we be thankful for new opportunities to depend on Him alone.

 

To delight in trials,

in hardships and such;

to embrace our weakness,

appears crazy stuff.

Yet when we are weakest,

Christ will be our strength;

we allow Him the space,

to go to great lengths.

So seek not our own strength,

but rather trust His;

all things are possible,

when Christ handles this.

Lord, teach us to delight,

in spaces we’re weak;

for those are the places,

You most clearly speak.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we are weak, You are strong. Thank You that we need not worry what comes against us, as You are for us and are our strength. Forgive us for our fears and doubts when trials come, and teach us to cling to You in faith. Teach us to trust You as Paul did, so that we may delight even in our struggles, as they are opportunities for Your strength to shine. Let Your faithfulness be evident as we love others through the strength that You provide. May many come to know the saving power that is present through knowing You as our Savior and King. Be glorified, Lord God, as we delight in the spaces where Your strength is made most evident. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23:6

The Splendor of Salvation

It is easy to get a bit freaked out by the whole idea of end times. Lawlessness and chaos are anything but appealing. However, there are several promises that we have to hold, despite the state of society’s moral decay. One such promise packs incredible power as I read it again this morning. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming. – (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

 

Imagine a lawless one who has created chaos throughout the earth, overthrown, with a single breath from the mouth of the Lord. Not only that, but the very existence of the lawless one will be destroyed by the splendor, the imposing magnificence, the indescribable brilliance, that will accompany Christ’s coming. There is great comfort when our hearts are securely grounded in Christ. Our peace is not dependant on the circumstances that surround us, nor on the state of order nor lack there of; but rather our security is found in our Savior, who dwells in the hearts of those who choose Him.

 

As lawlessness grows,

and morals decay;

we needn’t feel fear,

despite the display.

Far greater is He,

Who’s dwelling within;

than lawless chaos,

permissible sin.

For a day will come,

when chaos will end;

with a single breath,

what’s broken, He’ll mend.

The splendor of Him,

His magnificence;

shall destroy deceit,

restore innocence.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though not one of us can know the when, we all have access to know how it will end. Thank You that You are all-powerful, and that we can place all of our hope in You. Thank You that You made the way for us to come to You, and enter into an eternal relationship with You, so that we may be assured of our hope both now and forever. Forgive us for fearing the unknown and the unsettled, and help us to hold fast to You – our Rock, who is steadfast and secure. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times. May we live and love without fear, as You hold us in the palm of Your hands. May many come to know the splendor of Your salvation, and hold fast to eternal hope in You. Be exalted in everything that we say and do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.

– Genesis 21:6

 

Revealing Reconciliation

image by St. Mark’s Church

If there is any

good that’s done through me.

It’s because of Christ,

who has set me free.

By His willing death,

the old’s all but gone.

A new creation,

to pass His love on.

The outside, fleeting,

yet insides will last.

In Christ, a new heart,

true freedom from past.

Each of us is called,

to do all we can,

to share of His love,

with our fellow man.

All were created

to be reconciled,

but all must hear it,

to know we’re His child.

(Responding to 2 Corinthians 5:14-20)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that because You came and bore all of our ugliness, we, by Your Spirit, can be used for good.  Thank You that from the moment we come into relationship with You, we are a new creation, with a new capacity to love like You.  Forgive us for attempting anything in our own strength, and help us to be completely dependant on You.  Use us mightily Lord, to touch hurting hearts with Your lasting love that heals and grants eternal hope, so that many may enter into an everlasting relationship with You, our Redeemer.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present