Perfect Father, Commander, Coach

There’s a ton of misunderstanding about what the Lord is like:

1. Some people depict the Lord as unreasonably strict and cruel, often referring to that caricature as “the God of the Old Testament.” He’s accused of having no patience, no restraint, and old-fashioned rules that spoil our fun.
2. The opposite extreme is seen in liberal Christianity and New-Age-type thinking: that “God or whatever you call it” is an easygoing, fluffy energy, all peace and love…
3. And somewhere in the middle, most Christian believers have episodes of thinking that God should give us whatever we want (“I deserve it”); spare us from all trouble (“Why me, Lord?”); and answer prayer our way and right now (“I’ve prayed, but nothing is happening!”).

If we want to follow the Lord but we’re confused about what the Lord himself is like… well, it might be important to step back and straighten that out.

Scripture depicts the Lord as a combo of perfect Father, perfect military Commander, and perfect sports Coach. That astonishing image can help in our day-to-day thinking and decision-making. What does that look like?

Perfect Father

The best human father has love and understanding mixed with know-how and standards. The young child will test the limits, throw tantrums, sneak around. But the maturing child will come to realize that his dad knows his stuff—and that it’s best to go with his directives. If you didn’t have a good human father, I’m truly sorry. But each of us is invited to be a child of the Lord, the perfect Father.

• “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.” (1 John 3:1)
• “The Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” (Proverbs 3:12)
• “I delight in your commands because I love them.” (Psalm 119:47)

Perfect Commander

Imagine being a soldier under the command of one of the world’s most famous and respected generals. Even one of his rookie soldiers would stand out. People would say, “Of course he’s a good soldier! He’s one of General ___’s men.” That soldier might complain at first about rigorous training. He might tremble with fear or ache with fatigue. But he’d come to learn that his commander knows his stuff… and wants the best for his soldiers and for the bigger cause.

• “The Lord is my strength…. The Lord is a warrior.” (Exodus 15:2, 3)
• “Endure hardship… like a good soldier of Christ Jesus…. [A soldier] wants to please his commanding officer.” (2 Tim 2:3, 4)
• “Be strong and courageous…. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.” (Deuteronomy 31:7, 8)

Perfect Coach

I talked of great sports coaches in “Delighted to Obey.” If a player starts out with ideas on how to chum up to the coach or manipulate him in hopes of being assigned a starring role, that won’t work. A serious player under a great coach is soon motivated, and proud, just to do his best—for his coach, his team, and himself. And a renowned coach’s intimidating strictness so often masks a soft heart. We’ve all seen hard-nosed coaches hugging and crying over a graduating senior. (Wow, he sure loves those kids!)

• “Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:24, 25)
• “This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)

A child can run away from his human father. A soldier can resign from the military. A player can quit the team. But when the leader is great, why would they? With stick-to-itiveness, the child/soldier/player learns to want what the father/commander/coach wants—and with good reason. As that leader is trusted, respected, obeyed, and LOVED, there are happy results: confidence, purpose, fulfillment, perseverance, pride, maturity, joy, and victory.

How much more is that true of the heavenly Father, Commander, and Coach. He’s… perfect!

• “You, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer.” (Isaiah 63:16)
• “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” (Psalm 119:32)
• “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on…” (Philippians 3:13)