The Sting: Summer 2002

CALLAN'S COMMENTS C hristian coaches get tired, cranky, and disinterested even if they are winning and seemingly doing well. The world is saying, "What have you done for me lately?" Those who are losing are on a fast track to discouragement and a defeated spirit. Dr. Don Callan Perhaps you are a little bored with the process. Are you just going through the motions? Are you just fulfilling a responsibility? If you say "yes," join the crowd. There are many who have recognized they are in that funky time of their career, and some have even called it the mid-life cri– sis. Christian workers, coaches, laymen, even pastors have such times. The problem with such a mental state is you may not just be hurting yourself. What about those you are working with, serving or coach– ing? Have we forgotten why we chose to become coaches? I remember in my early days of coaching how I was driven with the desire to serve God and make an impact for Him in the lives of the players I worked with. I can also remember the times of discourage– ment when I thought, "Is this all there is to life? Why do I have to be the one to take the pressure, abuse and blame for less than successful outings?" When such times came, I would sometimes increase the emphasis by cranking up the emotions, and the physical train– ing and pressure on the players. All this was usually to the detriment of the times of spiritual training. I would become complacent about the spiritual devel– opment and obsessed with the process of trying to win. We should give maximum time and effort to both processes. Complacency is known to slowly numb our spirit until we just don't care anymore. We just don't want to be bothered with the challenges and responsibilities of being a Christian coach. The Bible calls that being "lukewarm." In Revelation 3: 15-16, John writes the Lord's words, "I know your deeds, that you are nei– ther cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor COMPLACENCY cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing, but you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." Then in the next verse (18) the Lord says, "buy from me." The only cure for such a malady as complacency seems to be to begin to look at life from God's per– spective, 1. perspective of love, and as a result you will grow in your relationship with Him. Growth only takes place, however, with regular study of the scrip– tures, fervent and specific prayer, fellowship with believers, and regular worship of God in your person– al and church life. Everyone struggles with dry spells, but the key to overcoming such times is to allow God to fill your heart and life with His love, and then you will overflow with a desire to please Him in all that you do or say. Hebrews 12: 1-2 says, "Therefore, since we are sur– rounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Dr. Don Callan is the Dean of the School of Health and Human Performance at Cedarville University. He previously coached the Yellow Jacket men's basketball team for 35 years and is a member of the NA/A Hall of Fame. STING Vol. 21, No. 2 Summer 2002 The STING is a quarterly pubbcation of the Cedarville University Sports Information Office. (937)766-7766 Office (937)766-5556 Fax womackm@cedarville.edu Websites: Yell ow Jacket Sports Information http://yellowjackets.cedarville.edu Editor . . ... . Layout & Design Photography . American Mideast Conference www.amcsports.org . .Mark Womack, Sports Information Director . .Jim Clark, Assistant SID . . .Scott L. Huck, CU Public Relations STING