What does it take to be the coach of the number one football team in the nation? Most people are under the assumption that one must neglect his family and everything else that is important and spend every waking moment preparing his team for success. What does Bob Stoops, head coach of the 2000 national champion Oklahoma Sooners, do? He and his staff start their day at 8:45 a.m., usually end in time to be home for dinner, and have Wednesday night family gatherings with their wives and children. It appears that Stoops has set some priorities in his life and has a good handle on the often-difficult task of balancing family and career.

Would you give up your time with family and with God in order to win ten national championships? How would you answer the question Jesus poses in Luke 9:25 above? Most of us know deep down that sacrificing our relationship with the Lord or our family for success, money, fame, etc. is wrong. It doesn’t make sense at all, and yet there are coaches all over who do that very thing. We may say that God and our family are priorities, but too often our schedule says something different.

My desire is that we will understand that it is not an either-or proposition. I believe that we can be successful coaches, and at the same time make our relationships with Christ and our family a priority. Don’t believe me? Try it and see. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (Mt 6:33).