During an interesting turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers offered UConn head coach Dan Hurley a reported six-year $70 million contract to take over their team. Hurley had to decide between remaining at the school where he just won back-to-back National Championships or going to the NBA and coaching a marquee franchise for more money in a bigger city. Hurley decided to stay at UConn and said: “At the end of the day, I am extremely proud of the championship culture we have built in Connecticut. We met as a team before today’s workout and our focus right now is getting better this summer and connecting as a team as we continue to pursue championships.” There were plenty of good reasons for him to change and see what he could accomplish in the NBA. I understand why coaches move to different teams (or leagues) as they slide up the coaching ladder: Sometimes, there are better situations, new challenges, and more money. However, I love it when guys stick around with the same program, stay the course, and keep winning where they are. Often, it’s the better decision to stay and be content instead of always jumping to the next job. As we consider Dan Hurley's decision to remain at UConn instead of going to the bigger market or the more significant job, I want to unpack how we face similar decisions in life. So often, we want a bigger bank account, bigger house, bigger lawn, bigger boat, bigger TV, bigger platform, bigger title, and a bigger role. Those things aren’t necessarily bad, but when they become our greatest desire, it causes us to “leave” when we should be remaining. We become restless as we continuously chase the next opportunity. Of course, there are times when God opens up a door for us to take a big step of faith into something new, and it can be good to grow and expand, but often the best choice is to stay and be content where we are. Just like it was probably tough for Hurley to say no to the bright lights of LA, it’s also hard to pass on many of the things the world offers us as “bigger and better.” However, as we face this ongoing battle, we’ll always win when we remain loyal, faithful, and committed to following Jesus, resting in Him, obeying Him, and finding our contentment through Him. Jesus tells us in John 15:4-5 (NLT), “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” There will be times when God asks us to go…and times when He asks us to stay. By remaining in Him, we’ll know which direction to take. When faced with different choices to pursue what’s “bigger and better,” let’s remember what Luke 9:25 (AMP) asks: “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?” Hebrews 13:5 (AMP) encourages us to “Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you!’” Today, as UConn fans celebrate how Dan Hurley remained with the Huskies, let’s praise Jesus for never leaving us...and remain in Him. I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to know You personally. Help me remain in intimate fellowship with You and not get caught up in the world and the pursuit of bigger things. I pray I’d love You more than anything, stay the course, and commit to the path You have for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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