For the past few weeks, I've been thinking about what my favorite part of being a coach is. There are a lot of things that bring me joy in coaching people, but the best thing is writing a program, having an athlete complete that program, then seeing them make massive gains or reach goals.
Most of the times, the scenario plays out like this: an athlete has been trying to hit a certain number, whether that is a double body weight squat, a 225 clean and jerk, or their first strict pull up without a band. They have been aimlessly trying to accomplish that goal, but feel like they are beating their head against a wall and have not seen much progress in a while. They have an end goal in mind, but no real direction or idea of how to get there. That's where having a good coach comes in. A good coach knows how to get an athlete from point A to point B in an efficient manner. One of the biggest problems I see with folks is that they lack commitment to a program. If an athlete has a good coach that will write a good program, and if that athlete will commit to following the program, they will almost always see gains made and goals achieved. The athlete may think they know what is best for themselves, but when it obviously hasn't been working they must place their trust in a coach to ultimately bring them success and joy.
The last two cycles I have written have gone fantastically, and it has been the most rewarding thing to watch my athletes make 30, 40, and even 50 pound PRs on their squat, front squat, snatches, and clean and jerks. The moment when they hit their old PR with ease and their eyes get really big is my second favorite moment. The moment after they hit their last max (which is way heavier) is my favorite. The point is, the cycles I write are not to punish my athletes (though I'm sure sometimes it feels like it). Lets be real- nobody wants to squat that much. But if an athlete will trust that I have their best interest at heart, they will reap the rewards of listening to me. All they have to do is just listen. As a coach, it makes me proud and brings me joy when they do.
I imagine that God must feel very proud and joyful when we listen to Him. So often, it is easy to take His word and His commandments as oppressive, a shot to our freedoms and desires. Our flesh foolishly believes that we know what is best for us (despite the perpetual evidence against that opinion) and that we know what will really make us happy. Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, physicist, and theologian describes this phenomenon:
"All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even those who hang themselves."
As believers, we place our hope and our trust in the goodness of God, believing that when He tells us to do something, that it is for our good and His glory. By living according to His word, we reap the rewards of a life lived under the banner of His goodness. All we have to do is just listen.
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
-Psalm 37:4
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