Challenge and Invitation

As a coach for swimming and colorguard (the marching sport of the arts with marching bands) I know that for people to grow the most we need a combination of challenge and invitation. To my swim kids, I would shout encouragements to them and display with my arms and hands proper technique and paces of kicking. To my colorguard kids, I would drill them on basics and to give them confidence in the simple skills while encouraging them to grow into the harder skills during routines. I myself, as a swimmer, colorguard member, and runner today find the best results on average come from the interplay between challenge and invitation. And God does that to each of us through the joys and challenges of what it's like to live in our relationships with God, others, and even our truest selves.

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When I was a swim coach and colorguard instructor, I didn’t know that’s what it was called. It took me quite a while to learn that. However, one thing thoroughly convinced me of this; and how I wish I knew it sooner. I’m putting a link (for those reading online you can simply click on the link) to a video of horse trainer Monty Roberts, watch it after reading. Roberts observed years ago a problem with training horses. The older model just didn’t give the creatures the ability to really be who God made them to be. The older model had two steps: 1. Tie the horse to a pole; 2. Beat it into submission until it does what you want. Mr. Roberts didn’t like that because, again, there’s no room for the horse to grow closer to you genuinely as it’ll always fear the lash of the whip. So, he started his training model to intertwine challenge and invitation to build the relationship on trust and affection. It’s amazing: here’s the link: https://youtu.be/2FFQlY9qza4?si=QmrzlbMCqG3t9Ywb .

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You are not horses. And yet, we all still need to be challenged and invited into relationships that build trust and affection so we can grow together. God does that to us in a sense. We know living the law is difficult. Living in the way of Jesus is difficult. And yet, when we do we experience together the trust and affection of the God who made us, redeems us, and gives us new life together.

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When I run, I love interacting with people. I love giving a ‘thumbs up’ to other runners, power walkers or anyone trying to push themselves. Or, if I have breath, I like to encourage them to ‘keep it up,’ ‘going strong,’ and ‘don’t quit.’ Why? Because I need that encouragement too! They’re challenging themselves, so why not be a voice of encouragement that this is not the end and their labors are not in vain. Don’t we all need some support and encouragement in tough times? When grief hangs on the heart, a friend can make a difference. When money is tight, a blessing feels like a drink of cool water. When you feel like you’ve lost everything, maybe the hope of being told, ‘there’s more beyond this’ is like the eternal life being breathed into you already?

To those walking and enjoying the scenery as I run, I like to communicate so that I cannot scare them (hopefully, though a few older ladies are so engrossed in conversations I still do spook them unintentionally) and to thank them for being mindful of others or wish them a blessed day. They remind me that life is not all work. They challenge me to appreciate the views. They encourage me with ‘thank you’s.

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Just like Mr. Roberts and the horses he works with, we live life together and forge our relationships through the tough times as well as the easy moments. We are not alone in this life; but grow closer when we talk, are challenged by, and invite one another to be better for each other and the world. Because when we do that, we make the invisible God experienced for all to witness the God of love, grace, and embrace. I’m not your coach, and I still want you to know that in good and tough times, God is weaving you closer into a deeper relationship.