-Coach Bechler Testimony
I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was six years old. My parents always took us to Sunday school and church. Ever since I became a Christian, I tried to find out more and more about what that term meant. I knew that it was more than just trying not to swear or do bad things. As I got older, I began to understand about the personal relationship that we can have with Jesus. Going to a Christian summer camp (Camp Selah in Reading, Michigan) served to develop my faith and understanding a great deal. When I went to college, my faith was reaffirmed as my own and not just that of my parents. The college that I attended did not have a positive Christian atmosphere so my faith came under constant attack. It was during my college years that it dawned on me that I could obey God’s commandment to serve Him in whatever profession I embarked upon. I didn’t have to be a preacher or missionary to have a ministry. God gifted me with a passion and insight when it came to sports, particularly basketball. I decided to serve God through basketball.In the years since I accepted Christ as my Savior, the Holy Spirit has been my companion and has taught me many lessons. Over the years I have learned not to lean on my own understanding, but to trust in Christ. I have learned that I don't have to live a life of timidity, but one of power. I have learned that the trials I have gone through and the ones I will go through have been, and will be, essential for my growth and are crucial in shaping me into the image of Christ. I have learned that the way I can personally evaluate my spiritual growth is to monitor my fruit: Do I love? Do I have joy? Do I have peace? Am I patient? Etc... Unfortunately, I am not perfect and sometimes fall short more than I would like. However, I cherish the Holy Spirit’s presence and the desire to live an authentic, Spirit-filled life dominates much of my thinking.
I am not working alone in my Christian development. I have a wonderful Christian wife that challenges me, that keeps me accountable and that loves me unconditionally. Additionally, I am involved in a great church and Sunday school class that helps me stay fed with the Word. While my enthusiasm and energy are at premium levels, they are tempered by the perspective that can only be gained through years of experience. For this reason, I feel that I now have more to offer my players than I have ever had in the past.
As coaches, it is so easy to trust in man and to make flesh our strength. But the active pursuit of how God wants you to coach, lead and serve will determine your legacy. Will it be the world's way or God's way?
The impetus behind all that I do in life is derived from the fact that there is only one true God who is, at the same time, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the creator of everything and Savior of all mankind. I believe in the Holiness and the true authority of Scripture. Upon this truth, my other beliefs take shape. Jesus Christ was and is God’s own Son, who came to earth and walked as man, yet remained God. Because of the severity and reverence revolving around God sending His one and only son to die for my sins, I am proud to call myself a Christian. It is no trivial thing to be a part of the Christian Faith and tradition when I take time to consider the call that Christ laid out for those who were to follow His footsteps. These footsteps that I follow may not lead to a hall-of-fame coaching career, or a large bank account. However, worldly gains are not my desire; rather serving Christ is my true purpose in life.
I have come to realize through life experiences, both those of others and of mine, that I have a tremendous responsibility when I take on the label of "Christian". The command in Mark 16:15 ("Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.") is just as true for me as it was to those who heard Him after His resurrection. As a true follower of Christ, "taking up His cross" daily is not a task that can be taken lightly. However, therein lies perhaps the greatest truth of the Christian Faith. Though I do not take my responsibility lightly, I do, however, sin. Through Jesus and His death, God has saved me not by my own deeds, worth, words or actions, but rather by grace. It is more than wonderful to know that I have been made new and justified even though I do, at times, fall short of fulfilling my responsibilities to Christ.
I constantly think of Romans 12:2 ("Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.") and how Christ can transform me into a closer image of Him. I want dearly to be transformed in a complete likeness of Christ. I accepted Christ as my Lord and Personal Savior when I was six years old. Since that day, I have grown from a boy to a teenager to a young man to a man. As I matured, I sought out God in a way that was personal and unique. In high school and college, it was fairly easy to get caught up in different situations and be an "amoeba Christian". Through God’s grace, I learned that conforming to different circumstances or environments; however, is not the way that Christ wants us to live. He walked hand-in-hand with me through life’s trials and its triumphs. He has allowed me to grow and mature spiritually just as I did physically. I am grateful that God has brought me through so many wonderful lessons, both good and bad, whereby learning and being shaped from the inside out.
My faith cannot stay at a constant level. I must continually fine tune my understanding of scriptures and know God better and more intimately. Without the help of a small group Bible study, a good Sunday School Class, a church home, and an accountability partner, I would “come nearer” to God at a much slower pace. Consistent discipleship, support and accountability have been key ingredients in my quest to know God better and overcome the stagnation that can creep into a person’s life. I also believe that I just cannot take and take and take from these support resources and live a life that is only worried about my spiritual condition. Rather, God has blessed me with gifts that are to be used for His service. Everyone, regardless of their talents can help and serve others. It is this compassion that can open eyes to the Gospel and God’s righteous love.
Because of my desire to serve Christ, I have been encouraged by the Apostle Paul and the way he so diligently defended his Faith and shared the great news that was his life’s testimony. It is my strong desire to shape and impact lives through my testimony and defense of the Gospel. Through it all, I have learned that God is in control of everything, including my life and my vocation. I have sought to serve Him and felt the call to teach and coach young people. My thoughts can be summed up by what the great football coach, Alonzo Amos Stagg, once said…
"In my profession, I must be deeply concerned with God’s belief in me and be truly interested in the welfare of my fellow-man. No coach should be trusted with the tremendous responsibility of handling young men under the great mental, emotional, and physical strain to which they are subjected unless he is spiritually strong. If he does possess this inner strength, it is only because he has faith and truly loves his fellow-man. The coach who is committed to the Christ-like life will be helping youngsters under his supervision to develop wholesome disciplines of body, mind, and spirit that will build character worthy of his Master’s calling. He must set the proper example by work and by deed. It is not easy."
I see coaching not as a job but rather as a ministry and myself as a missionary. Yet instead of translating Bibles in a jungle, I am coaching basketball to college students. The basketball court is my mission field.