Jul 28 2008
Half-time adjustments
I was a high school football coach for two years right out of college. I wasn’t a great player because I was a slow, white cornerback but I was a decent coach. In fact as the JV coach my teams went 11-3 and we won the area championship my last season. I was pretty organized and had a game plan that our team worked on all week long.
But when the game started very rarely did the game go exactly the way we planned. In fact, often it would fall apart and we would have to make adjustments to our plan. Good coaches have great game plans. Great coaches make adjustments. Mike Shula was a nice guy and a fine representative for the University of Alabama football team. I would say that his teams always showed up prepared for the games. However, Mike was not good at making half-time adjustments and I believe that is what led to his firing. Great coaches in any sport learn it doesn’t matter how things go at the beginning it is what you do when you hit opposition and difficulty. Great coaches and race teams work the entire game/race to win and the great ones do win.
I’ve had a plan in place for ministry and life. I’ve written out mission statements, goals and checklists. As I approach my birthday (none of your biz how old) I realize it is time to make a half-time adjustment. My plans haven’t worked the way I planned. I’m not sorry I tried any of them, but many haven’t worked out like I had envisioned. I’m not foolish enough to keep running them in the ground and kill me and my family in the process. I am adjusting– not to my plans but to God’s plan. What is that? I don’t know yet. But obviously mine needs adjusting.
So this week I will finish my book proposal and send it off to a literary agent that has expressed interest. We will see what God does. Next, I’m asking God to let me work in my area of passion, Judges 2:10 and recovering from legalism or give me another passion. I pray this gives me outside speaking opportunities because I’m ready. I really believe that there is a need for recovering, arrogant, obnoxious, know it all Christians to find healing and grace in Christ. Am I there yet? No, but I know this is a message that needs to be heard. This is where my focus will be until God shows me something else.
8 responses so far
Kevin,
It is much more difficult to make these half-time adjustments in life than in a football game; I know you know that.
However, you can know that hundreds of people are praying for you as you seek His will.
Draw upon all of the lessons you’ve learned in life. They will provide a good indication for where God is leading.
In 2001, I made that halftime adjustment…wasn’t easy, but in the end, it was worth the journey. I’ll take time to go through it and to adjust…just know that you aren’t alone through this process!
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..A Little Political Commentary
Kevin, I will be praying. I got killed at the beginning of the second quarter and was out on injured reserve for a while. Halftime does not start until 50. I give you 25 years per quarter (used to be 20 but modern meds help). Anything past 100 is overtime!
I am having the time of my life at 55! I remember all those churches that wrote me off because i wasn’t the “golden age of pastorhood.” But God is faithful and has put me where He believes I belong. I am grateful for that. I sometimes wonder about all those mission statements, goals, etc. I wonder if God is sitting in heaven saying, “You can make them all but I am in charge.”
Way to go on rethinking K. I will pray for you. BTW: have you ever read Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur? His real name is Randy Dodd. He lives in the Atlanta area now. He broke free from legalism and wrote his novel about it. In fact, there are 3 from him- two dealing directly with legalism. Awesome books!
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..Some Monday Morning Thoughts
Kev,
Have you ever thought that those “recovering, arrogant, obnoxious, know it all Christians” might not be Christians at all even thought they think they are? I really do think there is a ministry in that.
Andi,
Excellent point.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Half-time adjustments
Kevin,
When I speak at/through various events and places… I’m often heard saying, “I am thankful to have had Muscular Dystrophy… to have been paralyzed.”
One of the most freeing things that could have ever happened to me. Yep, being paralyzed from the neck down. WHAT? It opened doors that I would have never walked in other wise. And how those years helped us in taking care of daddy until he got the ultimate healing.
Brother G and I love you guys and are lifting up you daily. He’s at Wal-Mart now…. I’ve been dancing around the living room.
Sometimes those half-time adjustments look nothing like we would ever imagine! Just sayin’……
Camey’s last blog post..On Prayer. Those Lifeguards.
Where’s your heart? Where’s your passion?
I don’t think you’ll go far wrong if you follow that. That can even indicate giftedness.
Bob Cleveland’s last blog post..Maybe It’s Supposed To Be Enough???
Too bad this isn’t going to rank as one of the best posts on your blog, because really it probably should. What positive encouragement and insight from Kevin and the comments. I love the idea of you being on speaking tours.