Struggle & Triumph | What God Says I HaveSample

I Have Direct Access

“Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

I once worked with a coach who declared his frustration that his players were not opening up to him. He said he could not understand why they didn’t come to see him. “I tell them all the time that I have an open-door policy … and I mean it! I really want them to come to me!” he said. “It’s easy,” I replied. “They are afraid of you.” His face showed a combination of hurt, confusion and just being ticked off. This led to a lengthy conversation on what makes a leader approachable, and why it’s important.

Jesus modeled this quality throughout His ministry. Notably, He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The coach’s players, who were certainly burdened, chose to not go through his door because they knew they would not find “rest.” This coach’s personality was so high-drive and focused on winning that players were afraid to meet with him. Every interaction would result in a lengthy report of everything the player could do differently, and there was little discussion about how the player was doing as a person. Their burden only got heavier after they met with him. As a result, it was easier not to go through the open door at all!

Coach took this feedback with grace. What happened next was a series of purposeful one-on-one's to better know each player and gain a genuine understanding of what made the player tick. And his new focus on relationships led him to provide feedback in a way that tied personal performance to what motivated the player. By the end of the (championship!) season, players were waiting outside his door for their turn to give or receive feedback.

How wonderful it is to have a God whose “door is always open.” We know that we can approach Him and He will be there for us. He says, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12,13). God is essentially saying, “The door’s open. Pull up a seat. Tell me what’s on your mind.” When we do, we are promised mercy, grace and rest … and we don’t even have to wait in line!

Application:  Take a moment and share with God what's on your mind right now with sport, team, school or career. Then wait and listen to see how He responds to you.