Trust the Scouting Report
/As a coach, there are few things I take more seriously than the scouting report. It’s the game plan. The blueprint. The inside scoop on what we’re about to face. I study our opponent’s tendencies, strengths, weaknesses, and try to design a strategy that gives us the best shot at success. Not perfection—success.
This is exactly how I Think God wants the Bible to be for His followers.
Stick with me.
A scouting report is basically a coach’s most practical guide to their team’s success. It’s full of details—tendencies, schemes, play calls, and reminders. It’s not designed to be restrictive. It’s designed to be helpful. It exists for one reason: so we win.That’s it. I’m not trying to box athlete’s in, I’m trying to set them up.
And sure, there’s always room for a little creativity. I’ve had players take shots I didn’t call who ended up scoring. I’ve also had players take shots I didn’t call… and let’s just say they’re still hearing about it.
But here’s what I know: when everyone follows the plan, we function better.
When one person decides the playbook is optional, the whole defense breaks down. We get out of sync. We scramble. We look confused—and usually, we are.
And that’s when it clicked: how often do I do this with God?
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
He’s given us a scouting report. It's called Scripture. It's alive and active, and it's not just inspirational. It’s incredibly practical. It helps me navigate what’s coming—whether it’s temptation, conflict, stress, ego, or just plain old confusion. It’s full of wisdom I didn’t earn, and insight I definitely didn’t write.
And yet, somehow, I still think I know better sometimes.
Sometimes I ignore the play. I freelance. I “go with my gut.” And occasionally… it works. I get a win. I make a good call. But more often than not, I look back and realize: that was a bad shot—and I wasn’t the only one who felt the impact.
That’s the thing about God’s Word—it’s not just about you. When we ignore it, the whole team suffers. Our families. Our communities. Our teammates in faith. Just like a breakdown in the pool or on the court, ignoring God's playbook causes chaos we don’t always see right away.
But here’s the good news: God’s not a control freak. He’s not trying to kill your creativity. He’s trying to keep you from crashing. His Word is the game plan because He actually wants you to win—like really win. Not just succeed in the short-term, but live with purpose, peace, and endurance that lasts.
So here's the question I'm asking myself (and maybe you can too):
Am I following the scouting report, or am I making up plays as I go?
Because while God gives us freedom, He also gives us truth. And I’ve found the more I lean into His plan—even when I don’t totally understand it—the more equipped I am for the fight I didn’t see coming.
Spoiler: we’re not just playing against college athletes. The opponent is far more dangerous, far more deceptive, and far more invested in your failure. But we’ve been given a playbook that cuts through the noise and leads us to life.
And just like I remind my team the night before a game: review it. Don’t just skim it. Don’t rely on last week's notes. Open it up today—because today is game day.
Learning is living and I like living, so I admit I will always be in process. Here is a little something I am learning this week.