Over the past few months the sports world has been buzzing. This has been a season of upsets. Two words have been associated with the Crimson Tide all season, “The Process”. The process is Nick Saban’s coaching mechanism that has resulted in three of the past five National Championship titles and made him one of the most feared yet desirable men in the college football world.
“Well, the process is really what you have to do day in and day out to be successful. We try to define the standard that we want everybody to sort of work toward, adhere to, and do it on a consistent basis. And the things that I talked about before, being responsible for your own self-determination, having a positive attitude, having great work ethic, having discipline to be able to execute on a consistent basis, whatever it is you’re trying to do, those are the things that we try to focus on, and we don’t try to focus as much on the outcomes as we do on being all that you can be. Eliminate the clutter and all the things that are going on outside and focus on the things that you can control with how you sort of go about and take care of your business. That’s something that’s ongoing, and it can never change.” -Nick Saban
In a nutshell, it is the basic disciplines required to reach a certain goal. College football National Champions aren’t crowned the first week of January. They are developed every other day of the year. The product is their crystal ball, but their life is the process.
Nick Saban demands perfection from not only his players, but the fans as well. More particularly, Saban expects the best from the students at the University of Alabama. All week the Crimson Tide prepares for a sixty minute game. Our favorite boys of fall play for four; we are expected to stay for four. In reality, fans are vital. But the student fans play an important role. We buy the tickets, that fund the team made up of students. We cheer so loud for our classmates and friends on the field, that we become part of the defense to protect our house. Students, just like players, are part of the process.
Imagine Bryant-Denny stadium only reaching half capacity for the biggest game of the season. The dynamic of that game is altered entirely. Because the team lost support, they lost momentum. Lack of momentum resulted in lack of passion. Lack of passion yielded lack of life. Lack of life gave way to complacency. Complacency gave birth to a crumbled team. Similarly, the American church is facing its biggest rivalry of all time. The US Church may be backing off from the enemy in the name of political correctness. Personally, I believe the genuineness of the modern day church as a whole is in question. I don’t care about numbers by any means; I care about the people. Without the help of security, students, fans, concession stand workers, custodians, and supporters; Saturdays in Tuscaloosa would not be the same. Similarly, when the people aren’t doing their job, the church cannot function in a way that causes a legitimate change for Jesus Christ. And that’s the point of the Body; to be the hands, feet, heart, eyes, and ears for the Kingdom of God.
I remember being a sophomore in high school when this whole “christianity” thing really clicked for me. That’s the year when my faith jumped off the pages of an ancient book and came alive to me for the very first time. I was fifteen when Hebrews 4:12* made sense. I remember thinking that I had too many skeletons in my closet to be used by Christ. I had to realize, through many frustrating Kelly attempts, that there is no such thing as perfection. I was shown love, forgiveness, and mercy on a day-to-day basis. I don’t know the exact date that everything clicked for me, but I do know that every day since has been a battle. Every day has been either a step closer or further away from God; I’ve gone in both directions. I have learned and grown so much, but the exciting thing is, I’m still at the surface of the magnificence of Christ.
Often times, I’m frustrated with how easily it is to fall into a sinful behavior. I am my own worst enemy. Most of you are your own worst enemy. But the word of God tells us who the real enemy is. Our Savior fought Satan. Christ has given us a way out, a way has been provided for us to escape the grips of this world. And more times than not, we refuse to accept is. Or if we choose to accept our hope, it is a temporary lifestyle change. Many people become frustrated with temptation and failure. Most (like myself) struggle with spiritual disciplines. Multiple factors go into backsliding. The biggest thing that I have struggled with in the past is the lack of immediate results. I have been guilty of wanting my problems to go away with the snap of my fingers or a shallow prayer. Honestly, that’s not how it works. Ever single day is a fight for Christ. Every step is either towards righteousness or destruction. Every decision is made in wisdom or foolishness. Christ followers are made new creations through the blood of the Lamb and we are strengthened through fellowship, discipleship, discipline, and obedience. We are made perfect in Christ, not through our own efforts. Being real with Christ requires you to be real with yourself. A total self check up can be an ugly thing, but it can also be a grand realization of our need to make Christ a part of our every day lives. The truth is, if we want to spend an eternity with God, we must spend every day in His presence. He requires us to be a living sacrifice. The only true way to worship him, is to live every day for him, with him. (Romans 12:1*)
How are we to make a difference being one person? How are we suppose to find the strength to be on the field for Christ at all times? How do we avoid getting burnt out? How do we become victors of our every day demons? The answer is simple.
A walk with Christ is the ultimate process.
*”For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes are him to who we must give account.” -Hebrews 4:12-13
*"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." -Romans 12:1-2
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