Let the Good Times Roar

I have been reading a book by Super Bowl winning coach, Tony Dungy. I read this excerpt earlier in the week, and have been compelled to share it with you!

A cover of one of Tony Dungy’s books.

‘Be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the Fall and in the Spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. you, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.’ -James 5:7-8

In early 2001, rumors began swirling the the Buccaneers were considering replacing their current head coach if the team wasn’t sufficiently successful in the upcoming season. People kept asking what I thought about those rumors, since I was the current head coach. My response was always that my job was to coach, and God’s was to figure out the rest. Plus, a lot could happen in a year…

The story is told of a man who was caught stealing in a far-off kingdom. As he was brought before the king, he was informed that the penalty for stealing is death. Despite the stress of the inevitable, the man seemed relatively calm. He knew that the king has a beloved, prized horse that was treated like a member of the family. And the thief planned on playing a hunch.

When the man was brought before the king to be judged and sent to his execution, the thief asked if he could say a few words. The king agreed.

“Your Majesty, I know you have a wonderful horse. If you will give me one year to work with him, I will teach your horse to talk. If I am successful, you will spare my life.”

The King thought over the man’s offer for a moment and agreed.

On the way out of the King’s chamber, one of the man’s friends said, “Are you crazy? You can’t teach the horse to talk! You’ll be dead in a year.” To which temporarily reprieved man replied,” You man be right. But you know what? A lot can happen in a year. I may die of natural causes, the king may die, or…the horse may talk.”

Sometimes life looks bleak, especially when we think we know what tomorrow will bring. The reality is the we don’t know, either for better or for worse. Tomorrow is but a fog. Not panicking, but instead letting God work things out isn’t a bad thing. We’re aware of the situation, but our faith is in God, not in what we can do to work it out.

Don’t count yourself out too early. Sometimes things work out in unexpected ways. Sometimes action is the best course in assisting God, but sometimes sitting back and letting God work is best.

Because sometimes, the miraculous happens.

The horse may talk.

Take care of today’s business today, rather than being mired in what you think will happen tomorrow. The Lord is already working on that.