The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

– Genesis 1:2-3

The coaching profession can be very uncertain at times. Every year, phenomenal coaches lose their jobs (or resign, retire, etc.), new coaches step into unfamiliar roles, staffs turn over, and the lives of countless families are impacted. This cycle plays out across the country, at every level, in every sport. Incoming coaches in new roles are also stepping out on a limb by uprooting their families to a new place, knowing full well that it might not work out. High school coaches don’t exactly get the luxury of a massive buyout either.

With so much chaos, disorder, turnover, and movement in the coaching world, it can be easy to become clouded in judgment. I’ve been guilty of leaning on my own understanding and pressing to make things happen myself. I’ve been in seasons of life where I drifted from prayer, thinking that I could handle it on my own.

In the second verse of the Bible, we see chaos. We see darkness. We see something that hasn’t taken shape. In the midst of the chaos, however, we read that the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. When God started turning the earth into something good and usable for His plan, He didn’t rush to the finished product. He began with the work of His Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is where every work of creation–and re-creation–begins.

For me, the reminder is simple but not easy. Before I try to fix things, organize things, or force outcomes, I have to slow down and invite the Spirit to work first. New seasons, new staffs, new roles, or uncertain futures don’t require immediate answers as much as they require immediate and complete surrender. Just like in Genesis, God does miraculous work in the middle of what feels unfinished or unclear. When the coaching life feels chaotic, maybe the most faithful thing we can do isn’t to push harder–but to pause, pray, and trust that God is still hovering, even when we can’t quite see what He’s creating. I look back on God’s faithfulness throughout my wife and I’s journey and I am amazed every time.

Prayer

Lord, I confess that all too often I rush to figure things out on my own. I lean on my experience, my effort, and my ability instead of slowing down and trusting You. In seasons of uncertainty and chaos, help me to pause and invite Your Spirit to work first. Teach me to surrender control, to return to prayer, and to trust that You are moving even when I can’t see the finished product. Amen.