by Shannon Caughey

The demands of coaching may make it seem like you are constantly in a hurry just to try to keep up with everything. But living in a perpetual state of hurry can be a “coaching foul”—the term we’re using in these devotions to refer to unhelpful and potentially hurtful attitudes and behaviors. Being in a hurry can be harmful to us and harmful to our influence on athletes and fellow coaches.

In his book Soul Keeping, John Ortberg addresses the reason why hurry is detrimental: “Being hurried is an inner condition, a condition of the soul. It means to be so preoccupied with myself and my life that I am unable to be fully present with God, with myself, and with other people… I cannot rest in God with a hurried soul.”

When we’re moving too fast, we miss God and his activity in our life and in the lives of those around us. When we’re in a hurry, we’re usually distracted rather being fully engaged with whoever we’re currently with and in whatever we’re currently doing. When we’re distracted, we cannot be the best coach or the best spouse or the best parent that we can be. It is difficult to lead well, to listen well, to learn well, and to love well if our mindset is, “I don’t have enough time.”

With the reality of all the responsibilities that are part of coaching and life, how do you resist this “coaching foul”? Start by embracing the truth of the opening verses of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul” (vv. 1-3a).  

To eliminate hurry, trust that God is your loving and good shepherd. Be confident in his care for you. Recognize that the world is not going to fall apart if you’re not at the wheel, scrambling to keep things going. God is sovereign and you can rest in him. Look to the Lord as your shepherd daily, making space in your schedule to spend time with him and grow in your relationship with him. Allow God to guide you in what you do and what you don’t do because he wants you to experience “green pastures” and “quiet waters.”

You can live a full coaching life without feeling like you’re constantly in a hurry. As Ortberg says, “Jesus was often busy, but never hurried.” Coach, do you trust the Lord as your shepherd? Is it your desire to grow and thrive in your relationship with Jesus Christ? If so, you can depend upon him to lead and empower you to live a full life that is not a hurried life.

If you recognize this “coaching foul” of hurry in how you coach and live, ask God for his help to trust him and slow down. Trust his sovereignty over every responsibility, commitment, and deadline. You can experience the green pastures and quiet waters the Lord has for you. And you can be fully present with him as he carries out his work in you and through you.

For reflection: If you feel like you’re perpetually in a hurry, ask the Lord to help you more fully trust him and his sovereignty over all. Take a few moments to meditate on the truth of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”