Abraham (from the Old Testament) is known for his courageous faith.
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." Hebrews 11:8 ESV
His confidence in God allowed him to go when he didn't know where he was going, what he would face along the way, or even what it would be like once he got there. He left everything he knew-family, location, comfort- to follow God's guidance.
And he didn't need specifics.
Not to be too dramatic, but it seems to me like Abraham would have made a fantastic coach's spouse.
I came to faith because of this lifestyle. After years of drowning in instability and uncertainty, I decided I needed something dependable to cling to. I needed a foundation that could hold me up while it felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders.
When I first started in this lifestyle, I needed to know all the details. I tried it my way for longer than I'd like to admit. I thought that if I could just know all the stops along our journey, how long we'd be at each for, as well as the hiccups that we'd face while at each stop, then I could be confident in our choices, in this lifestyle, and that my sacrifices wouldn't be in vain.
But I have learned that knowing every little thing doesn't mean that you are standing on solid ground. It just means you have control problems.
Circumstances of life in general, but especially life in the sports industry, make it crystal clear that there really is no such thing as control.
On multiple occasions, God tells Abraham to do something new but doesn't provide all the details. But because Abraham knew the One instructing him, he did not need the specifics to get going.
He just focused on the fact that the path he was going down would be far better than anything he could envision for himself. His life was built on a foundation of faith in God. So, Abraham could go out into the unknown, taking risks and making sacrifices, because he knew the outcome in God's hand would be far better than if he held tight with his.
"For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God." Hebrews 11:10 ESV
Within the last decade, I have given Abraham's approach a try. Honestly, my hands got so tired from being tightly clenched, I only gave it an attempt because I couldn't hold onto anything any longer.
Like Abraham, I started focusing on who I knew God to be: good, just, caring, loving, and most importantly, someone who wanted to give me more than I could even dream up.
And I stopped fixated on the where, when, and how. I trusted that closed doors meant there was something better waiting, setbacks and rejections were protection, and the yeses would contain the best inheritances worth the difficulties.
And to my surprise and delight, I was freed up from that weight of the world on my shoulders. So, not only was I finally standing on a solid foundation, but my legs were no longer shaking, and my hands were no longer tired.
Just like Abraham, I don't always get it right. He tried to take matters back into his hands a couple of times when he became impatient. And I have, too. But this lifestyle is only manageable if you don't let circumstances weigh you down. Instead, put your trust in God, not your own abilities, coach's winning record, or the decision-making of those in power.
Hold tightly to the promise but loosely to the details. Have faith like Abraham.