Coaches who teach young people for not just 2-3 years but 20-30 years have discovered that winning championships is not the secret to longevity but the transformation of lives. To make the young people better than when they first came to them!

A friend and water polo coach has had Olympic qualifiers come through his program but his high school demographics has changed dramatically the past 20 years so now he must first teach the kids to swim before they can learn to play polo. His glory days and teams are behind him yet he just keeps on keeping on because transforming lives is his goal.

God has the same goal for our lives, to transform us. To make us better than we are right now. What does He want to transform us into? Into the image of his Son Jesus. Why? He knows if we will have the courage of Jesus, the love, the compassion and the willingness to obey like Jesus, we will not only have a better life here on this earth but we will get ourselves plus others into heaven. Like the young athlete, though, we must be willing to trust and obey the wise coach, God. Especially with the difficulties we will encounter!

I know you have important dreams and goals for your life but don’t forget that our perfect God has the perfect goal of us becoming more like His Son. And God will lovingly do all He can to complete this goal in us. But we can trust Him!!

Romans 8:29 “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…”

James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

1 Peter 4:12-13 “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Keep On Keeping On!