Heart of a Coach Sample

Take a Break

Set
When I was an assistant at Northern Illinois, I was out recruiting with another coach named Julie Brown. We were in St. Louis in the middle of July and it had gotten to the point where we were very tired. One Sunday morning, we decided to read about the Sabbath in an attempt to justify working that day. As we read different Bible passages, it became very clear that we could honor God or we could turn our heads and continue on the recruiting trail. We made a decision to take the day off, and from that time forward, I’ve made rest a priority as a coach.

The Sabbath isn’t just a suggestion. It’s a command. When I started to schedule a Sabbath day into my week, that’s when my career really took off. It wasn’t always on Sunday, but it was always a day that was committed to rest. Ever since, it’s been a central point of balance in my coaching career.

When you take time to rest, it’s like the analogy of sharpening your saw. If your blade is dull, it takes longer to cut down the tree. But when you take time to sharpen your saw, the tree comes down quickly. Rest and solitude sharpens my saw. I can spend less time getting the same amount of work done. I can be more effective in working with people than if I’m tired or rundown.

It’s okay to work really hard and get after it, but it’s equally important to obey God and take that time of rest and solitude. In your obedience, He will give you the strength to work harder, better, and smarter. – Sue Semrau

Go
1. How often do you take time away? What does that time look like?
2. On a scale of 1-10, how effective do you feel after you’ve had targeted times of rest and solitude versus times when you’ve gone long periods of time without a break?
3. What steps can you take this week to plan a Sabbath day into your schedule?

Workout
Exodus 20:8-11; Psalm 23; Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 58:13-14; Matthew 11:28-30; Mark 6:30-32

Overtime
Father, reveal to me the importance of giving you significant amounts of my time in rest and solitude. Give me the practical tools to implement a Sabbath day by which I can honor You and in turn receive strength, renewal, and peace. Amen.