Maxing Out For Christ

Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

The October 2002 edition of Spirit magazine carried an interview with Jon Gruden, coach of the Super Bowl XXXVII champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The article said that one of Gruden’s favorite terms is max out. He asks his players to max out for him, and he’s not afraid to do the same for them. He is very disciplined, so much so that he is up and in his office by four o’clock every morning. The results speak for themselves. He is the youngest coach in the National Football League and has enjoyed great success, both as the coach of the Buccaneers and as coach of the Oakland Raiders.

The article pointed out that Gruden believes in making the most of every day he has on earth: “At the end of the day, I just want to feel I have done everything I can to get the most out of [the] day,” Gruden said.^a

Most of the successful people I know live and work with a “max out” attitude. Leadership specialist John Maxwell has been quoted as saying, “successful people are willing to do what unsuccessful people are not.”

I have taken some flak from friends who don’t travel, live, or work at the same pace I do. As a result, I begin to second-guess myself. I wonder if I am working too hard. So in my quiet times with God, I pray, “Lord, confirm my pace and the plan.” I have come to the conclusion that every man needs to find his own pace in life. My pace is quick, so I need to move quickly. There are other men, however, who don’t move at the same pace I do. The key for men like me and for men who move at a slower pace is to find out what it means for them to max out.

Do you want an average life, or do you want to find the limit of your potential? Then find out what it means for you to max out for Jesus Christ.

Lord, let me max out for you.