As Coaches, we learn many things. We learn to be present with our clients, that the sessions are client-run and that we must put our own agenda aside. As Christian Coach Institute trained Coaches, we learn that when we show up, God shows off. We place our trust in the guidance of Holy Spirit and refrain from leaning on our own understanding. We pray with and for our clients. But we cannot do this without one critical ingredient…LOVE. In the New American Standard Version of the Bible, love is mentioned 484 times – 250 times in the Old Testament, and 234 times in the New Testament. One of the most notable Bible verses is John 3:16 “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” This verse exemplifies agape love, which is a pure, willful, sacrificial love that intentionally desires another’s highest good. Love is not something we simply “feel”, it is something we must “do”; therefore it is an action. It is willful and intentional.
So, as Christian coaches, how do we demonstrate “love in action” to our clients? Here are some thoughtful questions to ponder.
How are you filling yourself with love by prioritizing your time with the Father?
Giving Jesus our first fruits can alter how we see our clients and others. Agape love goes beyond loving those that are easy to love when they are lovable. Have you noticed that it’s easier to give our love to willing recipients, however more difficult if challenges are present? When we begin our day, as Jesus did, it becomes easier to see others through a God-lens. Mark 1:35 “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.”
If everything is filtered through God’s loving hands, then how can you see each client as a loving gift from the Father?
As believers, we know that there are no accidents. In all honesty, at times, we may have a difficult client. Perhaps, one that you must keep reeling back as they run through the next rabbit trail. If we look at love as a verb, perhaps being patient and kind is a great action step for us as coaches. By listening and caring with an empathetic heart, you may be the very gift they needed that day. ”Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
Could distractions be divine appointments of love?
Bob Goff in his devotional, Live in Grace, Walk in Love, says, “don’t let anything but Jesus distract you.” He goes on to say that the average person spends “one out of every five minutes on social media. It’s literally taking over our lives minute by minute.” Instead, what if we made Jesus our distraction? What would it look like to pray for our clients and others when we are tempted to go to our phone? Perhaps a Bible App versus a social media App? Ultimately filling ourselves in a more loving and life-giving way.1 John 3:18 “Let us not love with words and speech, but with action and in truth.” Again, love is an action. Let’s be doers of the word and not just hearers!
In theory, this all seems so simple. At times, love is what we do and also what we don’t do. We must follow the model of Jesus. He began each day in prayer, filling Himself first to leave the footprint of the gospel message of love where ever He was called.
One final question…
If we blanket our businesses with intentional love and prayer, just imagine how God could use us?!
Here is another reading to enjoy: Relationship Coaching: It’s ALL About Relationship
