In the movie Breakthrough, John Smith was playing with friends on thin ice when they fell through.  While his friends were able to scramble back onto the ice, John sunk to the lake floor and was submerged fifteen minutes.  Tommy Shine and Joe Morrow served as the first responders sent to rescue him. Well trained, equipped, knowing the lake, they still would not have found him in time had Tommy not listened to a voice directing where to go. Miraculously, John Smith was saved!

For me, this provides a powerful picture of coaching.  Great training, excellent tools, even knowledge and experience aren’t enough.  The most important element is listening to the Lord as He guides, “Dive deeper here.”

Proverbs 20:5 states, “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”

Repeatedly, I see people begin a coaching session thinking they want to focus on one thing, only to discover the true issue is different. What happens?  As space and time are facilitated to listen to the Lord, He reveals what we can otherwise never know: the purposes He’s placed in the depths of one’s heart.

If they don’t know, there is certainly no way I can ever, on my own, know!

What a blessing the Lord promises in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

This is why I always begin a coaching session asking the Lord for wisdom.  Every single time, without fail, He is faithful to keep this promise! Even while I coach, I am often crying out inside, continuing to ask the Lord for wisdom and am amazed at the questions He gives, often leading in directions I’d never think to explore. Patience and perseverance are required here.

After finding John Smith’s body it wasn’t easy for Tommy Shine to bring him to the surface.  It takes effort to draw something out of deep water.  Because he listened and persevered, Tommy Shine played a key role in a beautiful miracle! (The movie is based on a true story!)

Life changing coaching is all about listening, not only to the client, but most importantly to the Lord.  This truly is the critical factor for breakthrough!