The best life-coach ever ∙∙∙

The best life-coach ever ∙∙∙

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. – John 1:4

Hebrews 12:23-27

23 You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect.
24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.

25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!

26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai, his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”
27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed so that only unshakable things will remain.

Breaking Free from the Rut

Many individuals find themselves stuck in a rut at some point in life. There are moments when it seems impossible to regain control of one’s life. It can feel as though the wheels of progress have ground to a halt. Life can be compared to swimming: if you’re not actively moving forward, you may feel like you’re sinking. Treading water might keep you afloat for a time, but you remain stagnant. Without an intentional effort to swim forward, stagnation eventually gives way to defeat. Choosing not to do anything is really choosing to do nothing.

Recognizing the Rut

People end up in a rut for many reasons. Sometimes, life simply throws too many challenges at once, leaving you feeling unprepared and unsure of how to cope. Other times, the uncertainty of the future can paralyze you, trapping you in indecision. Life, however, continues to flow and change, whether you’re ready or not. The reality is, choosing to stay “comfortably” still is ultimately a choice to remain stuck.

The good news is this: finding yourself in a rut doesn’t mean you have to stay there. Though it may feel unending, being stuck is only a temporary state. The key is recognizing that it’s possible to regain momentum and chart a new course forward.

Fear – the Root of Stagnation

Fear often lies at the heart of what keeps people stuck. Fear is one of the most paralyzing forces in life, and it prevents us from taking risks and venturing out of our comfort zones. The fear of failure is especially potent. What if I try and don’t succeed? It’s easier, many think, to “stay safe” or maintain the status quo, even if that means settling for dissatisfaction or mediocrity.

Psychologically, it can feel easier to avoid trying than to risk failing. Self-limiting beliefs creep in, whispering lies of inadequacy and reinforcing a self-fulfilling prophecy of stagnation. Fear of criticism, disappointment, and rejection compounds the issue, creating a mental fortress that keeps us confined.

Facing Fear with Courage

Breaking free requires a willingness to confront the fears holding you back. Take time to identify the thoughts or anxieties that keep you from stepping forward. Are you afraid of being judged? Are you worried about the possibility of losing something or someone? By naming these fears, you can begin the process of addressing them head-on.

Action is the antidote to fear. Each small, courageous step chips away at the power fear holds. It’s not about being fearless but about choosing faith in spite of fear.

The Ultimate Life-Coach

While modern life-coaches may offer practical insights, there is no better guide than the Father Himself. God serves as the ultimate Life-Coach for His children. He is always present, always accessible, and always ready to guide us through life’s challenges. Unlike human coaches, His wisdom is infinite, His presence unfailing, and His counsel perfect.

Scripture reminds us that the Father is reaching out to us, always drawing near. Our role isn’t to find the strength on our own but to reach back and lean into His guidance. Through trust and practice, we learn to hear His voice, respond to His instruction, and develop a renewed sense of hope. The Father provides freedom from fear, clarity in confusion, a vision for the future, and the courage to move forward.

The Bible recounts vivid examples of God’s presence as a guiding force. When the Israelites stood at Mount Sinai, they were overwhelmed by the majesty of God’s presence. The thunder, lightning, and darkness filled them with fear, and they pulled back, terrified (Exodus 20:18-19). But Hebrews 12:18-21 reminds us that God’s presence, though awe-inspiring, is not to be feared but embraced. God does not draw near to frighten but to redeem, lead, and transform.

Jesus Himself urged His followers to move forward while they had the opportunity to walk in God’s light. John 12:35 says, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going.”

REFLECT & PRAY

When we walk in God’s light, fear loses its grip, and stagnation loses its claim. His light illuminates the way forward, even when the path ahead seems unclear. Trusting God allows us to trade fear for faith, confusion for clarity, and hesitation for hope.

Father, thank You for setting me free from the fear of darkness and allowing me to walk in Your marvelous light. Help me to confront my fears and trust in Your perfect plan. Guide my steps and fill me with courage to move forward, knowing that You are always with me. Amen.

INSIGHT

When God Shakes the World

Hebrews 12:26 reminds us of the power and sovereignty of God: “When God spoke from Mount Sinai, his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: ‘Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.’” This verse speaks to God’s ability to disrupt, discipline, and refine His creation. But what does this “shaking” mean for us as believers? How should we respond when the foundations of our lives seem to tremble beneath us?

The Meaning Behind “Shaking”

The Bible uses two Greek words to describe “shaking.” The first is saleuo. Saleuo conveys the idea of “an unexpected and disastrous shaking of things once thought stable,” like the earth or sky (Acts 16:26). This term can also represent “inner turmoil or mental distress,” as seen in 2 Thessalonians 2:2, where believers were urged not to “be shaken or alarmed” by false teachings.
The second Greek word translated as “shake” is seio. Seio carries a more physical connotation, meaning “to stir up, agitate, or cause violent movement, such as an earthquake or tempest” (Matthew 21:10). Figuratively, this word also “captures the emotional impact of fear, agitation, or unrest” (Matthew 28:4). The Greek word for “earthquake” or “tempest” is seismós. We get the English word “seismograph” from seismós.

Together, these words reflect the dual nature of God’s work in our lives. He may shake our physical and external realities, but often, His shaking reaches deeper, agitating our hearts and minds to refine us and draw us closer to His purpose.

Shaking is a Tool of Discipline

“Shaking” is more than a metaphor for God’s activity; “it’s a tool of discipline and purification.” Scripture describes God as a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), “purging what is unworthy or unfit in His presence.” This process, though uncomfortable, ultimately transforms and prepares those who serve Him (Pentecost).

Much like a skilled craftsman shaping a masterpiece, The Father uses discipline to refine our character, remove impurities, and align us with His will. His shaking is not arbitrary or purposeless. It is child-training, a loving correction that builds endurance, faith, and trust in His plans.

The Father’s Desire and Design

What does God desire from us through this shaking? Above all, He seeks our love, devotion, and service. Each of us is uniquely designed for a specific purpose. As our divine Life-Coach, the Father trains and prepares us for this purpose, guiding us through life’s trials and challenges. His direction is always intentional. He takes us further and deeper into His ways. As He works out His eternal plan, we finally begin to comprehend His end goal for us in time.

Through this process, we learn to trust Him more deeply, to hear His voice, and to rest in His sovereignty. The shaking forces us to release our grip on the temporary and unsteady things of this world, allowing us to stand firmly on His unshakable foundation.

Learning from Joseph

Consider Joseph’s life, a powerful example of how God uses shaking to transform and prepare His children. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned, Joseph endured immense hardship. Yet, through each trial, the Father was shaping him into the leader he was destined to become.

At the end of Genesis, Joseph’s transformation is evident. He emerged not only as the second-highest leader in Egypt but as a man full of gentleness, grace, wisdom, and forgiveness. As a result of the handiwork of the best Life-Coach ever, Joseph became a servant-leader. Reflecting on his experience, Joseph declared to his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive” (Genesis 50:20).

Joseph’s story reminds us that God’s shaking, while painful in the moment, is always for a greater purpose. The life-shaking trials that seem meant for our harm are often the very tools God uses for our growth and His glory.

The Touch of the Master’s Hand

We are like instruments in the hands of the Master. Without His touch, we may seem battered and worthless. But in His skilled hands, our lives are transformed into something of immense value and beauty. This is eloquently captured in Myra Brooks Welch’s poem, “The Touch of the Master’s Hand.”

‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin, but he held it up with a smile.

What am I bid, good people, he cried, who starts the bidding for me?
One dollar, one dollar. Do I hear two?
Two dollars, who makes it three?
Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,

But, No,
From the room far back, a gray-bearded man came forward and picked up the bow,
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin and tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet, as sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low,
Said what now am I bid for this old violin? As he held it aloft with its bow.

One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two? Two thousand. Who makes it three?

This poem reflects the essence of God’s work in our lives. When we feel broken, discouraged, or insignificant, His touch restores us, renews our value, and sets us on a new path. He sees in us what no one else can and brings forth purpose from even the most difficult circumstances.

When we walk in God’s light, His purposes become clearer, and fear begins to fade. Trust His hand, even in the trembling moments, and allow the Master’s touch to reshape your life into something extraordinary.

¯_(ツ)_/¯12-4-3

© Dr. H 2025