A number of years ago, on my way to a teaching mission in Eastern Europe, I had a 24-hour layover in Amsterdam, Holland. Since it might have been the only time in my life I would be there, I couldn’t pass up the chance to see the works of the masters at the famed Rijks Museum. Most memorable was Rembrandt’s masterpiece, The Night Watch.
If you’ve ever stood in front of this enormous painting, you know it’s an experience. The size alone is stunning, but it’s the details—the light, the shadows, the expressions—that pull you in. It’s not just a painting; it’s a moment captured through Rembrandt’s perspective.
One can’t help but marvel at how Rembrandt decided what to emphasize and what to let fade into the background. His choices shape the story you see. But, think about it—this isn’t the “truth” of the moment he painted. It is his interpretation.
This memory came back to me recently as I came upon a quote from Eugene Peterson’s meditations on the Psalms of Ascent, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. He wrote:
“We need an eye specialist rather than, say, a painter. A painter tries to convey to us with the aid of his brush and palette a picture of the world as he sees it; an ophthalmologist tries to enable us to see the world as it really is.”
That line is a powerful reminder of what we’re called to do as Christian life and leadership coaches.
Coaches: Painters or Eye Specialists?
Now, don’t get me wrong—painters like Rembrandt have a role to play. Their work opens our eyes to beauty and emotion we might otherwise miss. But when it comes to coaching, our clients don’t need our version of their lives painted for them.
It’s tempting, isn’t it? To step into sessions with advice, solutions, or a clear picture of what we think our clients need to do? But when we take on the role of the painter, we risk overshadowing God’s vision for their lives with our own perspective.
Instead, Peterson reminds us to be more like eye specialists. We don’t give our clients a picture of the future; we help them remove the barriers clouding their vision. We create space for them to see the world—and themselves—through God’s lens.
Lessons from The Night Watch
As I recall standing in front of The Night Watch, I’m reminded about how different it would have been if I’d been handed special glasses that let me see the real moment Rembrandt painted—the people, the light, the actual event.
Our work as coaches is a bit like handing out those glasses. We’re not here to impose our version of the story, as wonderful as that may be, but to help clients see clearly what God is already doing in their lives. Here’s how we can do that:
1. Ask Questions That Focus the Lens
When you visit an eye doctor, they ask, “Is this better or worse?” Similarly, as coaches, our questions help clients clarify their vision. Instead of asking, “What do you want to achieve?” try asking, “What do you think God might be inviting you into?”
2. Hold Up the Mirror
When clients share their thoughts, reflect them back without judgment or advice. Sometimes, hearing their own words clearly is all it takes for the fog to lift. For example, if a client says, “I feel stuck,” you might ask, “What does ‘stuck’ look like for you? What’s one small thing you could shift?”
3. Let the Holy Spirit Lead
We’re not the ultimate eye specialists—that’s the Holy Spirit’s role. Build moments into your sessions for prayer, silence, or simply listening for God’s guidance. Often, clarity comes not from us but from the space we create for God to work.
4. Ground Everything in Scripture
When clients are wrestling with decisions or challenges, guide them back to God’s Word. For example, if a client is weighed down by fear, remind them of 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
The Gift of Clear Vision
As I stood there, looking at The Night Watch, I kept noticing new details—the flicker of light on a soldier’s helmet, the shadow of a hand, the intensity of a gaze. Each time, the painting felt more alive.
That’s what happens when our clients start to see clearly. What once felt overwhelming or confusing begins to make sense. They notice God’s hand in their lives, and they find the courage to take the next step.
It’s like the blind man Jesus healed in John 9. When his sight was restored, he didn’t just see the world—he also gained a spiritual clarity that changed his life forever.
That’s the kind of clarity we want for our clients—not just practical solutions but a deeper understanding of what God is doing in and through them.
Staying True to Our Calling
Peterson’s words challenge me to pause and ask: Am I coaching like a painter or an eye specialist? Am I projecting my own vision onto my clients, or am I helping them see God’s vision more clearly?
It’s not always easy to step back and let God take the lead. But that’s our calling. To ask questions, reflect what we hear, and trust the Holy Spirit to guide the process.
When we do that, we’re giving our clients a gift far greater than a beautifully painted picture. We’re helping them see the masterpiece God is already creating in their lives.
So, the next time you feel tempted to “paint” for your clients, remember The Night Watch. It’s stunning, yes, but it’s still just one person’s perspective. As coaches, we have the privilege of helping people see the world—and their purpose—through God’s eyes.
Dave Peterson is a Strategic Living Coach and founder of New Venture Coaching. He helps pastoral leaders to gain clarity and confidence in their purpose and calling.
An ordained Assemblies of God minister since 1980, Dave has a BA in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Houghton College and an MDiv from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He served as founding pastor of Warwick Assembly of God for 25 years.
Dave’s passion for leadership and personal growth led him to coaching in 2016. He holds ACC, CCC, and AG3 coaching certifications. He is a co-facilitator for THE BENCH here at CCNI and serves as the Coaching Services Director with the Assemblies of God Coaching Coalition.
Dave and his wife, Julie, have been married for over 46 years. They have four children, seven grandchildren, and live in Western Connecticut with their Yorkie/Shih Tzu, Cooper. You can reach him at dave@newventurecoaching.com.
