via TJC
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
2 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV
I can still hear the voice of Coach Platt, making me run laps after grabbing my football face mask and getting eye to eye as a young player. It happened a few times, as I was both a late bloomer and sucked. But I could run so I matured into a decent college track athlete; and can still hear the coach barking out split times. Those voices became military instructors who took barking to a whole new level. Suffice it to say - I hear and respond to the voice of a coach far more than most other well intended voices.
Coaches impact young men for generations. And the good coaches grow other coaches.
One Football coach today truly has earned the title of GOAT, surpassing all other coaches with 7 national titles, 24 bowl game appearances with 15 victories, ten SEC West titles, nine SEC championships, and an overall winning record of 88%.
Even more impressive to us as disciple makers is the men he has built up to become coaches. These have included head coaches of Ole Miss, Georgia, LSU, Texas, Miami, Gators, Arkansas State, Michigan State, Marshall, GA Tech and the list goes on into pro coaches. That is an amazing coaching tree.
Those closest to Nick Saban know that there is a lot more than Xs and Os, that motivate Saban. Celebrating 50 years of marriage, leading by good character and morals - there is one key trait about Saban as a man. Nick knows who he is. He stands for the Lord.
Do not gloss over this - men follow, mirror and replicate men who “know who they are” - especially those who know who they are in Christ.
Soldiers know who the real deal is, it’s the same with every profession and influencer. Men stand out when they are authentic to their calling and do it with excellence.
Truth is many of you reading this are discouraged in yourself, you don’t even know who you are, nonetheless standing for the Lord. You’ve been faking, hiding, and dreading being called to take a stand. Read on.
“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”
1 John 2:27 NIV
Daily Battle Order:
You have been anointed, you are the real deal with Christ in you. You are part of the greatest coaching tree ever as a handful of disciples, stood for Christ and have passed down the play book to every single one of us. You are now called up to learn the plays, and coach other men as they stand for Christ.