Life Coaching from the Expert

S - “"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. … If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. … Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. … In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” John 14:12-14; 15:7; 16:23-24, 26-27 ESV

O - These words are taken from the last lengthy conversation Jesus will have with the eleven before his arrest. He's coaching them (and all of us) regarding life in his physical absence and the way we should both think about and make requests. It's more than striking that he will emphasize the limits, method and action plan of asking.  As for limits on requests, there are none. Ask anything. The method is to ask in his name; i.e. believing and engaging his person not just an outcome. The plan of action following our asking is the most amazing of them all. Requests made in this way are not to be taken as a to do list for the ones asking. Time and time again the expert says "it will be done for you." 

A -  Jesus is identifying best practices and I'm learning that I have not been using them. Too often my requests are restricted by perceived inevitabilities rather than inspired by limitless possibilities. Instead of relying on a person I'm fixated on an outcome. Post request, I'm prone to try to make it happen rather than cooperating with him as he makes it so.  Jesus not only spoke this way he lived this way … he's coaching me to do the same. I'll embrace his best practices.

P - Sovereign Lord and Truth,

Thank you for being the ultimate player/coach on earth and in heaven. I admit I've inconsistently engaged the best practices you live and instruct us to live. I'm requesting a complete transformation of my thinking, asking, speaking and living unto all which is already in your heart to do. I'll stop helping and stand ready to cooperate as you take all my asking and make it so according to your beautiful and brilliant person.  I'll fix my attention on you and not an outcome.

Asking and living in Jesus' name,

Steve