The Final Four is Saturday night, and the only remaining number one seed is the Kansas Jayhawks.

In some ways, Kansas is flying under the radar, but they have a very talented team that’s capable of winning it all. They’re also being led by head coach, Bill Self, who is coaching in his fourth Final Four while attempting to win his second National Championship.

This is a bittersweet Final Four appearance for Self, as it’s the first one without his dad, Bill Self, Sr. who passed away on December 31, 2021, at the age of 82. Honoring his dad by the way he coaches, Self uses the lessons learned from his dad as a way to motivate his team.

After their win on Sunday against Miami, Self said this in his postgame interview: “It’s a special year for me and my family, with my dad passing, and that was his motto: ‘Don’t worry about the mules, just load the wagon.’” 

That saying has meant a lot to Coach Self and was inscribed (see picture above) on a bench at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of fame when he was inducted in 2017.

It’s such a unique and somewhat funny saying, so I was curious about its meaning. In an article on CJonline.com, Jordan Guskey shares, “Self’s dad used to tell him all the time, ‘Son, don’t worry about the mules, just load the wagon.’ It meant he shouldn’t worry about things he couldn’t control, he should just do his job, and if he did his job well things will work out.”

I like the motto and there’s actually some great Biblical truth with which it parallels. How often do we worry about the things in life that are out of our control or get frustrated by the things we can’t change?

But, as followers of Jesus, if we do what we’re called to do (obey God, and do our best for Him), then there’s no need to worry.

Colossians 3:23-24 (AMP) explains, “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.”

Sometimes when we encounter discouraging circumstances, it’s hard to “keep loading the wagon,” but in those situations, we must keep serving the Lord and remember what Galatians 6:9 (NLT) tells us to do: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

There are so many “mules” or distractions, concerns, and things we can’t control, but we can control our attitude, perspective, work ethic, and where we place our trust.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:31-34 (NLT), “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Today, let’s keep seeking God…loading the wagon…not worrying about the mules…living righteously…and God will give us everything we need.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess I get very frustrated by the things I can’t control. Please help me to remember that it’s not my job to control everything, but rather to trust You, obey You, and work hard doing what You’ve called me to do. Thank you for providing everything I need and giving me an amazing eternal inheritance. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

1. What mules are causing you to worry today?

2. In what ways are you encouraged to keep “loading the wagon” and serving Jesus?