Trust

This past month I have been thinking a lot about trust, particularly in regards to programming. A program is simply an organized scheme of exercises, sets, reps, and intensities that have been systematically put together by a coach in hopes to maximize an athlete's potential. Coaches have goals in mind when they write a program, and any coach worth his salt programs certain things for a reason.

For the longest time, I programmed for myself, but recently I have switched to following The Outlaw Way for several reasons. First of all, it is just one less thing I have to worry about, and makes it easier to differentiate between me as an athlete and me as a coach. More importantly though, I tend to not program as hard for myself as I would for another, but going off of another coaches program pushes me to work harder and do things I would not normally do.

For a program to work, it must be adhered to strictly. Days skipped are days wasted, and conversely tacking on extra work leads to diminishing returns. I have observed this far to often in our gym: an athlete things he or she is doing something positive by going the extra mile (literally- I have seen people go run a mile after an Outlaw workout. Idiots) but instead they are taking away from what the program has to offer. By doing extra, they are not only reducing the overall intensity, but are creating a cumulative stress that cannot be compensated for by the body. Rest days are programmed for a reason! REST! Ok, I am stepping off my soap box.

The point I am getting at is that there is a level of trust that is required between a coach and an athlete. For the athlete to succeed, they must trust that not only does the coach have their best interest in mind, but that they are capable of programming an appropriate workload to induce overload but not overtraining. When you think about it, our spiritual lives are not much different.

As followers of Christ, we are called to trust. We see this multiple times throughout the gospel accounts. Take Simon Peter for example. In Matthew 4, as he is sitting by the sea of Galilee, Jesus walks by and simply says "come, follow me." Peter put his trust in Jesus, and was left with a life forever changed. Some time later, in Matthew 14, the disciples are out at sea when they are approached by what appears to be a ghost. The figure claims to be Jesus, so Peter replies "Lord if it is you, tell me to come out on the water" (v.28). Jesus invites Peter out, and Peter again puts his trust in the Lord and steps out on to the water, a substance that has no business holding up a human being.


Trust is something required not just of biblical characters, but of us. What we who are in Christ struggle with most foundationally is that we are who God says we are: perfect, holy, and blameless not because of what we have done, but because of Christ atoning for our sins. I came across something that I found beautiful. If I do nothing else in this life, I hope I believe this fully-


My Son,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
(Psalm 139:1)

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
(Psalm 139:2)

I am familiar with all your ways.
(Psalm 139:3)

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
(Matthew 10:29-31)

For you were made in my image.
(Genesis 1:27)

In me you live and move and have your being.
(Acts 17:28)

For you are my offspring.
(Acts 17:28)

I knew you even before you were conceived.
(Jeremiah 1:4-5)

I chose you when I planned creation.
(Ephesians 1:11-12)

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
(Psalm 139:15-16)

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
(Acts 17:26)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
(Psalm 139:14)

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
(Psalm 139:13)

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
(Psalm 71:6)

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
(John 8:41-44)

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
(1 John 4:16)

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
(1 John 3:1)

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
(1 John 3:1)

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
(Matthew 7:11)

For I am the perfect father.
(Matthew 5:48)

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
(James 1:17)

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
(Matthew 6:31-33)

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
(Jeremiah 29:11)

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
(Jeremiah 31:3)

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
(Psalms 139:17-18)

And I rejoice over you with singing.
(Zephaniah 3:17)

I will never stop doing good to you.
(Jeremiah 32:40)

For you are my treasured possession.
(Exodus 19:5)

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
(Jeremiah 32:41)

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
(Jeremiah 33:3)

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
(Deuteronomy 4:29)

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
(Psalm 37:4)

For it is I who gave you those desires.
(Philippians 2:13)

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
(Ephesians 3:20)

For I am your greatest encourager.
(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
(Psalm 34:18)

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
(Isaiah 40:11)

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
(Revelation 21:3-4)

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
(Revelation 21:3-4)

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
(John 17:23)

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
(John 17:26)

He is the exact representation of my being.
(Hebrews 1:3)

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
(Romans 8:31)

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
(2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
(2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
(1 John 4:10)

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
(Romans 8:31-32)

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
(1 John 2:23)

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
(Romans 8:38-39)

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
(Luke 15:7)

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
(Ephesians 3:14-15)

-God

I have a hard time believing this on a daily basis, but I pray that with the help of the Spirit I will put my trust in these promises and in the goodness of the Lord.

Trust your coaches, trust the Lord, step out of the boat.

Blessings