Pastor’s Pen: The greatest life coach is Jesus Christ

Twenty teams are taking part. There are four groups of five teams. Ireland have France, Italy, Canada and Romania in their group. All forty-eight games are being televised live – hallelujah!

All the teams are busy planning for the tournament and setting goals they will strive to achieve.

For the winning team it will take a lot of hard work and commitment. I wonder if one of the home nations will lift the Webb Ellis trophy on 31st October. The team that returns home champions will say the reward was worth all the blood, sweat and tears.

I came across a rugby quote recently: “Winners train, losers complain.” It’s a saying that could be applied to everyday life.

All coaches make their team practice, practice and practice even more. So in the critical intense moments of a game the right thing to do comes naturally to a player. Knowing when to pass and when to hold onto possession and wait for support could mean the difference between winning and losing a game.

Everyday life can bring intense moments for each one of us. Those intense moments may include a concerning diagnosis, a wayward child, betrayal, financial worries or loss of employment. How you respond in these circumstances can affect the rest of your life.

Knowing the right thing to do at these times is crucial.

The greatest life coach is God’s son, Jesus Christ. When you follow his example at these pivotal moments then it will always be the right thing to do.

During his life Saint Paul knew all about making decisions when feeling under pressure. He was shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, slandered and abandoned. Yet he said: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4v13

Are you in the midst of a difficult time in your life? When you seek and follow the wisdom of the greatest coach, Jesus Christ, you’ll know what the right thing to do is and overcome your problems.

As for who will win the RWC 2015? It is hard to see past New Zealand retaining the trophy!