Read Luke 10:1-23

Having very athletic grandkids, I have attended many sporting competitions. While waiting for the games to begin, I have gotten in the habit of watching coaches and their leadership skills…

or lack thereof.

There are the “Micro Managers.”  These coaches cannot let go.  They feel they have to tell their players every single thing to do, “Take two steps forward!” “Hold your mitt this way!”  “Move here or move there.”  They don’t have any confidence in the ability of their players and consequently, their own coaching abilities. That kind of coach/leader only causes confusion. Instead of letting the players concentrate on their own problem-solving skills and knowledge of the game, they become dependent on the coach for everything.

They are not ready to fly solo.

Then there are the “Yellers.”  They have a fit every time a player makes a mistake, may even kick or throw something in their frustration. They aren’t correcting anything, just adding more anxiety. 

Their players are afraid to fly!

The most successful coaches are the ones who have given their all-in training to prepare and equip their players for the competition.  They have confidence in themselves and it shows in the confidence their players have in themselves. If something does go wrong, the coach is there to offer support and will gently remind the players of their training with a hand of comfort on their shoulders.  He/she builds up the player’s own confidence.  Prep is over; when it is time for the competition, the players are ready to fly and the coach is ready to let go.

The latter is what Jesus was doing in our verses today.  Training was over, it was time for His followers to leave their nests, spread their own wings and, not only fly, but soar like eagles!  Jesus had prepared them for adversity, told them what to do when faced with it and move on. 

Letting go is hard for leaders. You have to have confidence in yourself, then confidence in your training and your trainee.  If you have done your job correctly, then you should have confidence in letting them go.

When helping a child learn to ride a two-wheeler and holding on to the back of the seat, there comes a time when you have to let go and trust that the child will continue on and not crash.  The same is true of a leader. 

Who have you taken under your wing? 

Who is looking up to you for advice? Do you have confidence in yourself that you have done a good job in training them and now it is time to “push them out of the nest”, so to speak, and let them fly?

Pat Arnold