Life Coach
Paul had visited Galatia, sharing the good news of the risen Christ. When he left Galatia, he had set them on a path toward healthy, positive, Christ-filled living. But being new believers, they were easily misled by others claiming to have the gospel. Paul wrote to them, encouraging them to return to their roots as baby Christians, and to follow the path laid out by Paul - the path toward living as God's beloved.
The Galatians needed a coach. Someone like Paul who could see the big picture that they could not see, who could redirect them when they got off track. It seems even today it's pretty important for us to have coaches, too. People who can see the big picture when we cannot see it, who can redirect us when we stray.
Who in your life acts as a coach to you? Who can you turn to that will tell you the truth, even when you don't really want to hear it? Who can see your life's bigger picture? If you don't have someone like this, see if you can find someone you can trust to guide you. Maybe it's a pastor or a counselor. Maybe you turn to a trusted friend. Maybe you actually hire a life coach or spiritual director. Make sure you have someone who can say the difficult things to you and who can encourage you when the going gets tough. Thank God for your coach every day. They are invaluable.
Narrative Lectionary Text: Galatians 1:1-12
Paul an apostle—sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the members of God’s family who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!
Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.