Be Coachable

“Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.” Proverbs 13:18 ESV 

In an article titled “57-Year-Old Runner Sets American Record With 5:16 Mile” posted by Runner’s World Sunday, the following was reported: Michelle Rohl is only 5 feet tall, but she stands out in a crowd on the track. At 57, she races most often against college students. Plus, there’s the matter of her white ponytail. “I doubt I blend in,” she said. “It’s not like I color my hair. My white hair is out there.” Of course, her speed sets her apart, too. On January 21, Rohl, in a race of other 40-and-over athletes, set the latest of her American records in the 55–59 age group, when she ran 5:16.70 for the mile on the indoor track at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. And while Michelle definitely has God-given talent, the secret to her success, her coach Mike DeWitt says is that she’s “coachable” while many masters (over 40) runners aren’t. “They’re too stubborn to coach,” he said. “They want a coach, but they don’t want me to tell them what to do.”

And you know, when it comes to being coachable or capable of being easily taught and trained to do something better, the Bible tells us that “poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction but whoever heeds reproof is honored.” In other words, those people who refuse to be corrected or accept constructive criticism (by being hard-hearted, self-righteous, disobedient or stubborn) put themselves on a path to failure. But those people who are both willing and able to receive correction and instruction (knowing they could always benefit from it) perform well and are regarded with respect for their accomplishments. 

So no matter what age we may be, let us seek to stay coachable knowing that there’s always room for improvement in both our physical lives and in our spiritual lives. Let us seek to keep growing until the day the Lord calls us home. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that none of us will ever achieve perfection on this earth or have the answers to all life’s questions. In light of that, give us humble hearts and spirits that are always willing and eager to grow and learn. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!