In the first year of his reign, in the first month,
he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them.
– 2 Chronicles 29:3 (ESV)

Some coaches have a special talent for rebuilding programs. They’re able to come into a new situation, quickly assess the positives and negatives and make the necessary changes to take the team in a new direction. How does this happen? How can someone take a team that was losing games, undisciplined and lacking in confidence and in a short time turn them into a winner, playing with great energy and focus? Coaches who are successful in turning programs around seem to have the ability to shift the focus of the team. Rather than concentrate on past failures or team negatives, they choose to focus on what lies ahead and simply work to get better each day. These teams somehow find the lost joy of playing for each other and loving each other in the process. They welcome the new approach and the new direction.

Hezekiah is a great example of a “rebuilder.” He became king of Judah at the age of twenty-five and immediately began to turn his nation away from the mistakes of his father. The first thing Hezekiah did was to point his people in a new direction. He turned their hearts away from the false gods of his father and toward the one true God. He had the center of worship repaired, cleaned and restored to its former beauty. He brought the rulers of Jerusalem together to take part in worshipping God with special offerings and joyful singing. Hezekiah invited his people to come to Jerusalem and renew the celebration of the Passover. These celebrations brought great joy and a sense of purpose to a nation that had been suffering for a long time. They welcomed the new approach and the new direction.

Heavenly Father, help me to put away past failures and mistakes so my focus will be on You only. Give me joy and a sense of purpose as I serve You and others today. Amen.