Most of you that know me know that for the past six years I have been a basketball coach. I have really missed not coaching this year! Valor, the high school team I coached the past two years is currently undefeated in the state and has a great chance to win a state championship in Colorado. They have progressed from a Final 4 finish my first year, to a second place finish last year, and I believe this will be the year they finish on top. I really hope they are able to accomplish that goal. It would be a great experience for the seniors as well as some of the guys that I coached last year when I was the head JV coach.
One of my favorite things about coaching the JV guy last year was giving them a devotional before every game. I enjoyed telling the team stories from the Bible, reading passages, and explaining scriptures. I usually tried to inspire the team with lessons on bravery, teamwork, bouncing back when bad things happen, having passion, encouragement, etc.
I remember one road game when we arrived to the gym. We didn’t have much time for a devotional, so I had to adjust and make something up on the fly. Where do you go in the Bible when you need a good quick word to inspire your team? Numbers. Naturally. I found the perfect scripture to inspire the Valor Eagles on to victory that night. Numbers 31:34 – 61,000 donkeys. Yes, that’s all it says. 61,000 donkeys. I told the guys that we’re not donkeys, we’re Valor Eagles! Don’t be like a stubborn donkey that stops and complains when things don’t go the way it wants, rise above it and soar like an eagle! Now let’s go soar like eagles!
I have to admit, it definitely wasn’t one of my best devotionals, but we did end up going out and playing really well that night. We played together and didn’t argue or complain to the refs and we put a whooping on the opposing team. Although it was a loose interpretation of scripture on my part and it is not something that I made a habit of, I was happy with the results.
Last month our contact, Pastor Thomas, gave our team a devotional about a donkey as well that I thought was worth sharing. I’m not ashamed to say that this one put my donkey devotional to shame. Last year I told my team not to be a donkey, but Pastor Thomas had the opposite message. He said “Be a donkey.”
Be a donkey? Really?! After revisiting this idea and studying a little bit more, I agree with Pastor Thomas. Let me tell you why…
In Luke chapter 19, Jesus is about to go into Jerusalem and he has two of his disciples go into a village to get him a donkey. He tells them there will be a colt tied up that has never been ridden. They are to untie it and if anyone asks why they’re taking it, they are to say “The Lord needs it.” The disciples do as Jesus asks and they bring him the colt to ride into the city. (This is to fulfill the prophecy of Zech. 9:9.)
Why should we want to be like this donkey? Because the donkey carried the presence of the Lord into the city! It didn’t get any credit or glory. The people weren’t cheering for the donkey, it simply carried Jesus into the city. In this context, saying I want to be a donkey simply means you want to become a bearer of God’s presence.
What can we learn from this donkey?
1. It had never been ridden, so it wasn’t trained by man or taught in man’s ways. It hadn’t been mislead. It wasn’t stubborn in thinking it knew the way to go already. It was teachable and submissive.
2. God already had a plan for this donkey even though the donkey didn’t know it and even though there was nothing really unique or special about it. Zechariah 9:9 – Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
3. The donkey had to be loosed. Even though God had a plan for it, it was tied up. We can’t carry God’s presence when we’re tied up. There are people God could use right now, or use greater, but they’re tied up in their flesh. When men don’t know God’s purpose for you, they’ll try to keep you tied up. When Satan knows God has a plan for your life, he is extra motivated to keep you tied up.
4. The donkey was tied up, but Jesus knew where he was. Jesus spoke a delivering word that allowed the donkey to be loosed. The man that owned the donkey didn’t know what was going on. Other people will wonder what’s happening when you’re loosed and start walking away from the things that tied you down. Just tell them “The Lord has need of me.”
In Matthew 21:10 it says the whole city was moved when Jesus rode in on the donkey. It only takes one donkey to turn a city upside down for Jesus Christ. Will it be you? Will you be a donkey that carries Jesus into a city?
I think I had it wrong when I told my team not to be a donkey. My encouragement to you and to myself is to…
Be a donkey for Jesus! Carry His presence.
