Life Coach…

I've been chewing on this idea lately that I really want to be a life coach. When I worked at The University of Phoenix, part of my job entailed taking people from where they were to where they wanted to be. It was actually one of the most rewarding parts of my day-to-day, to take someone that had not sat in a college classroom in years, if ever, and help them take that first step to fulfill what was for many, a life-long dream. To draw out the courage and fear in them, the excitement and the hesitations to help them see why their dream could very much be a reality, a difficult reality, but a reality.

I think, for a lot of us, it's easy to look at our current situation and see the hurdles, the obstacles, all the reasons why not. But sometimes, I think, it takes an outside perspective to see the silver lining, to see the hope, to see the reasons why a dream is a possibility, to see how it can become a reality. And honestly, for most of us I think it's really just small changes. I mean, really, what's the difference between sitting in front of the TV playing Xbox all day and sitting in a classroom for five hours? Location and activity. Tiny changes. But you do one for four to five years and you have a college degree, you do the other and you have a collection of games you can maybe sell on Craigslist for $100. Right?

But change can be hard. If I'm honest with myself, more times than not, I really dislike getting out of my comfort zone. It's hard! I'll share a secret here. Until probably about six months ago, I didn't realize that a lot of change is actually permanent. I know, shocker right? But I had a small epiphany a while back when I realized that most of the change in my life is actually here for good, not just on a visit. I'll never be 25 again. I'll never have some of the jobs I've had. I'll never see some of the people I used to see. Life changes. And because of that hesitation to accept change, I think a lot of times people get stuck wishing and waiting for the past to come back. Maybe that's why there are so many quotes on moving forward. 'Your windshield is bigger than your rearview mirror for a reason,' 'Your eyes are in the front of your head so you can look forward and not backward,' etc. A lot of them are kinda gay. But I suppose they hold some truth right?

I was telling Cory the other day that when I was reading about the Israelites' journey, a few things really stuck out to me, especially as I was beginning this new trek in my life. First, the journey was only supposed to take nine days. The Bible says that from Egypt to the Promised Land was a nine day walk. What's that? Like a few hundred miles? And somehow they managed to screw it up bad enough that God had to keep them in the desert for 40 years. In fact, they screwed it up bad enough that the first generation never made it! Secondly, is that not only did they screw it up for a long time, but they screwed it up early! I mean, think about it, how hard is it to be faithful to God for nine days? All they had to do was to be 'good' for nine days and they screwed it up. So they screwed it up early and finally, they screwed it up a lot. Not only did they go wrong early, but they couldn't fix their act for 40 years. And I guess it's easy to be on this side of it because I've never walked through a desert. But really, how many times have we done that? We get on a 'diet' or workout plan only to fall off the wagon within the first few days or first few hours even. How many times have we been at an altar call, bawling, eyes puffy, snot running, promising God with all our might that our sin is done. That our sin is nailed on the cross or laid at the altar, or whatever pious imagery you want to convey, only to go home and drop the ball that same week? I know I've done all of it. A lot. If I told you some of the times I dropped the ball with God and the context within which I dropped the ball, you wouldn't help but think I'm half devil or half retarded. But trust me, I have.

But I don't want to be that guy. I don't want to be the guy that God gives a great opportunity to and can't be faithful. The guy that can't be faithful to God for nine days or 40 years. And a lot of my life is great. I'll be honest, I love my life right now.

We had Cory's bachelor party this weekend and it was amazing. A lot of guys showed up, we all pitched in and covered Cory's paintball, lunch, got him a pretty nice cigar, all of it. It was exactly what I was hoping for as the best man. And I couldn't help but look around and realize how awesome my life is right now. My best friend is marrying another one of my best friends and they're both amazing and amazing together. My little brother starts an amazing job next week—in MY office, a really sweet gig for being 20. I'm on the cusp of one or two really nice promotions. I'm moving downtown soon. Life is really good right now. And the great thing is that I know God is only making it better. But really, how great is my life? I mean it's a subjective measure right? I love my life. But does that mean God has nothing more in store for me? I have to believe he does. And while I have no metaphorical bondage or slavery that I'm asking God to deliver me from, I know he's called me on this journey. And I know he's spoken some very clear things in my heart. And I want to be faithful to those. I want to be the guy that made the trip in nine days, not in 40 years, or worse yet, didn't make the trip at all.

So how would I coach me? Little changes. I would take where I'm at and the things I'm doing well and do more of them. Work just a little harder. Study a little more. Meet personal deadlines a little quicker. And take those things I'm not so hot at and improve those little by little.

I want to be the man that one day can look at my wife and say, 'Honey, I can be faithful to a God I can't see, I give you my word that I'll be faithful to a wife I can hold.' Forgive me if that's cheesy, but that's a word I've very specifically heard in my heart over and over these last few weeks. I want to be the man that can pour into the youth of my people and give them authenticity. I want to be the man that can steward little. I want to be the man that God can trust with $5 and $5 million. I want to be the man that can be a great man for his friends and a great man for his wife.

So changes. Little ones. Baby steps, and lots of them. So here I go, coaching my first client, pro-bono. He'll test my patience; he'll probably slack at times and then put himself through a guilt trip he can't bear. He'll have amazing victories. He'll experience great triumphs. I'll reward him and discipline him. But I believe in him, he won't let me down. He's God's creation and in him lies the King's greatness and the King's potential. It all starts with changes. And we're starting some this week.