Life looks different. For the first time, there is no routine, no rigor. There is open opportunity, looming question marks, and new beginnings. There is a need to submit.
Throughout the course of my athletic life, the process was in my control. The work gets put in, the lifts get done, the skill work gets completed, and you see the results that you work for. They’re recognized and appreciated by many, and you earn your satisfaction.
Then, you are pursued, and you weigh your options of schools, for example. For me, that was both high school and college ball. It gives you a sense of responsibility that you are in control of most outcomes, even failure, by owning the processes.
Now I sit in the transitional period of the job search, the search for expanding friendships with new people, and the search to strengthen my faith in the more challenging and uncommon ways. And in these experiences over this week, I can’t look to play God in my ways anymore. I have to submit to Him.
I will certainly get to writing about the end of our season, and this summer’s experiences; coaching, traveling, mentoring, growing, doing mission work, and seeking guidance. Those conversations with you are coming when I’m ready, but this is what is on my heart tonight.
I heard a passionate sermon on Sunday that essentially talked about which altar you choose to idolize. The altar of God of the altar of the aspects of the society that make us feel good. As I have the innate desires to now find the opportunities and the people that are right for me, I can’t find those things if I’m not already doing what is right for me. And if I give my trust into my faith, I have to find myself living by the ways that align with what I’m looking for, because who you are is what you attract. Let’s dive in.
There are aspects of my lifestyle that are a wedge in between me and my faith. Some of these are things that society would even deem as common practice. And before I can submit to putting my trust into what my plans are, that wedge has to be removed. Basically, as an example, before I can sit back and trust that the Lord is going to put the right partner into my life, I have to be what I would look for in that person. The same goes for jobs, or experiences, or other things that I seek but ultimately have no control over.
To start to accomplish this, I reached out to a great, faithful friend earlier this week and we decided to dive into scripture every day, while sharing what we want to be better at doing, and trying to hold each other accountable to those standards… every day. An accountability partner, per se.
It’s a trust exercise to me. If I am supposed to put my trust into the greater powers of the Creator, I need to look out for me first. That way, in the time in takes between now and when He deems things to fall into place, I can then be at peace knowing two things: I am different and I am doing my best.
Now, more than ever in my life, the phrase ‘you can only control what you can control’ matters more to me… believe it or not. School, athletics, rehab, workouts, and the time management of all of those things was the easy part. I was addicted to that. I loved that. The time I sit in now is used to think, and spend time alone, and be unsure of what weeks on end might hold, and that is different. And out of my control.
I’ve decided to find that old peace in a newer way, by submitting it back to Him… knowing that He wins on His timing. Believing that He knows what makes me happier even more than even I do.
So, what does that really look like to me?
A cleaner tongue, a purer mind, more honest intentions, a better diet, empowerment of others, curious questions, active listening, smiling even more, finding joy in the times alone, and even more joy in the times together. And taking nothing else for granted.
Then, whoever is meant to stay will have that put on their heart. Whoever is meant to hire will have that put on their heart. Whatever is meant to be will fall into place. My greatest work and preparation now comes back onto me, and that will be my peace.
I encourage you to find that in you, as well.
Yesterday, in Proverbs 14:12 I read, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Meaning that just because there are pieces of life that man would see no problem with does not mean it leads to eternal life that we seek.
Today, in Proverbs 15:17, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.” Reassuring to me that where there is live, cheer, joy and appreciation is where there is the true satisfaction of wealth and success, no matter what physically surrounds us. Because the good physical things surrounded by the sin, gluttony, lust, or vainness of the world are really not the good things.
Plenty excited for what is to come. Talk real soon.
Bryce
Super 8 