It’s been called the speech that launched the Alabama dynasty on January 16, 2020. Coach Nick Saban spoke to nearly 38,000 fans who came to hear him following Alabama’s near-two-decade championship drought, which ended with their 1993 Sugar Bowl win over Miami.

“But I want everyone here to know,” Saban said, holding his hand out to stop the applause. For this, he needed their undivided attention. His voice grew louder. “This is not the end. This is the beginning.”

This sentence became the mission statement for his plan to build and sustain a football dynasty at Alabama.

Nearly every organization or team has a mission statement. It provides a philosophy that drives what they do. When a team commits to the mission statement, it becomes a useful tool for setting or reaching goals for the season.

Luke 20 – Stay on Mission

Luke 19 and 20 provide enduring lessons and examples of knowing one’s mission and staying focused on the goal.

Toward the end of Luke 19, Luke tells readers that the religious leaders want to kill Jesus but can’t find a way to do it. In Luke 20, Luke shows that these same leaders are trying to humiliate Jesus over the question of authority. Jesus understood the reasons for His coming to earth and never let circumstances distract Him from staying on mission.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete don’t let popularity, success, opposition, disagreement, or threats distract them from staying on mission. They never allow circumstances to pull them off course.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the countryside must not enter the city; because these are days of vengeance so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.” Luke 21:21-22 LSB

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