Coach John Wooden had a clear set of priorities: faith, family, and friends. This excerpt from How to Be Like Coach Wooden by Pat Williams shows his commitment to the right priorities.

“During the late 1960s, when the UCLA basketball program was at the height of its success, Jack Kent Cooke tried to hire John Wooden to coach his Los Angeles Lakers.

“The Lakers’ owner thrust an offer sheet in Coach’s direction. ‘What do you think of that?’ ‘Nobody’s worth that kind of money,’ Coach said, but he still wouldn’t take the offer. ‘Well, then, how much do you want?’ “Coach tried to explain that it wasn’t about money. He didn’t want to coach the Lakers because he didn’t want to spend that much time on the road away from his wife, Nellie, and their children, Nan and Jim. Besides, he liked coaching and teaching at the college level. For John Wooden, coaching basketball had never been about money and never would be.”

 Luke 10 – The Priority of Worship

The account of Martha and Mary’s approach to priorities is found only here in Luke 10:38-42. Mary has the right order of priorities. Coaches and their spouses face the same clash among family members over priorities today.

This story teaches that worship is the highest priority for every Christian. Nothing, including service to Christ, is more important than listening to Him and honoring Him with our hearts. It was Mary, not Martha, who understood that worship is a higher duty to Christ than service given on His behalf.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete follow the example of Mary to be entirely devoted to Him as of first importance. It’s okay to stop reviewing the film at home, set the phone down for a few minutes, or whatever else distracts from sitting at the feet of our Lord.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – “The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me. And he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.” Luke 10:16 LSB

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute on Devotion