In the early '80s it was my privilege to meet Nelson Cook in Dallas Texas on a US Sport Ministry Study Tour when he was with FCA – the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. We became firm friends and over the subsequent 30 years or more our families have met together and Delma my wife and I have been hosted many times by Nelson Cook.
Twenty years ago a bold faith step was taken to relocate to Los Angeles and initiate a highly specialised ministry to "coaches" and as they say, the rest is history. In 2009 I did a week's ministry in LA to his coaches hosted by Nelson Cook which included not only coaches meetings (breakfasts, lunches and field meetings) but men's breakfasts.
Over the years I have extracted from his informative and challenging ministry 'messages' and turned them into articles which have been well received. This is another of Nelson Cook's messages.
Whale of a story from Nelson Cook
Sometime ago, a story appeared on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle about a female humpback whale that had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that made it a struggle for her to stay afloat and breathe. She also had hundreds of yards of line wrapped around her body, her tail, and her torso as well as tugging at her mouth.
Fishermen saw the problem, contacted an environmental group who arrived to assess the situation and determined the only to save her was to dive in and untangle her.
It took hours working with curved knives, and eventually she was set free. The divers said she swam around them in circles, then came back to each diver and gently nudged them as she pushed them around. The divers said it was one of the most incredible experiences of their lives. The one who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following him the whole time and he will never be the same.
Coaches, this kind of tale becomes a reality for you as we minister
First, DON'T GET ENTANGLED
Consider yourself. II Timothy 2 verse 4 says No soldier (COACH) in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier (COACH). You have a ministry calling to go BEYOND the Xs and Os so don't get caught in the spider web of traps the enemy set for you.
Second, YOU HAVE TO DIVE IN
Get involved. You're free in Christ to free others. Galatians 5 verses 13 -14 says For you were called to freedom, brethren (COACHES); only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is...love your neighbour (STAFF, FACULTY, KIDS at SCHOOL) as yourself.
Like the whale, everyone can get entangled and weighted down. God has His people who will DIVE IN, get involved, and in CHRIST help set people free. There is great JOY when that happens, in HEAVEN, on the EARTH, and yes, even in the SEA.
Nelson Cook concludes: "Make this a life-changing day".
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html