Pick up your mat

In Steve Hagen’s book, “Coach ‘em Up”, he tells the story of a young Andre Agassi (for the younger crowd, Andre was the best tennis player in the world at one time and one of the coolest athletes of his time)

In his book, Steve talks about being part of your own miracle. Referencing the story from the book of John of the invalid who for 38 years, had been lying by the pool of Bethesda, which was believed to have great healing powers, and never got to the water. When Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?” the man simply responded with an excuse of why he couldn’t get himself into the water. Nobody was there to help him. For 38 years, he believed the story he was telling himself. A story of “can’t,” a story of “excuses.”

Jesus, the master of eliminating excuses, simply said, “Get up, take up your mat, and walk”. The man did! Jesus eliminated the excuse and invited the man to take part in his own miracle. 

What excuses are you making right now that block your progress to what you truly want? Where does your fear paralyze your action? Where do you need to train your mind to see a situation differently so you can move to a “no excuses” perspective? Where are you letting your circumstances control your progress?

Coach Hagen goes on and talks about a mantra of Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Knoll: “No excuses, no explanations.”

Being part of your own miracle takes commitment, hard work, and courage. If you really want something, Get up, pick up your mat, and walk!