Complacency

Proverbs 1:32-33 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without the fear of harm.

Wayward - "difficult to control because of unpredictable behavior."
Origin "Shortening of former awayward 'turned away'.

Complacent - "Satisfied with oneself in a smug or uncritical way"
Origin - Latin complacere 'to please'

Complasiant - "Willing to please"

(Source is the Oxford English dictionary)

In the two years as an athlete, winning two state championships, for coach Bill "Congo" Congleton in Manhattan, KS, I observed him raising his voice in disgust just twice. Both resulted from our team's complacency. We began believing someone else on the team would get the job done. We were the defending state champions in the fall of 1984, six of the seven varsity runners returned from the previous season.

In the middle of the season we ran against Topeka West, the third place team in 1983 and eventual state runner-up in 1984. The Chargers of Topeka West, running in their traditional purple uniforms defeated us badly on that Thursday afternoon in late September at Milford Lake (off to the side, not on the water), north of Junction City, KS. Despite our behinds being thoroughly kicked, we walked around after the awards ceremony in our baby blue tops and powder pink shorts chanting "Once more in '84'. We already had the mantra for the upcoming championship.

Congo's disgust derived as our predictable drive to run all out, pushing ourselves to our physical and mental limits had dissipated. We were beginning to adopt an unpredictable behavior, waywardness, of running hard, yet lacking our full potential. Despite our defeat we were uncritical of ourselves believing we would automatically win the championship in November. We began having hints of belief that our school's name and uniform would assure victory.

He then called the six of us onto the bus giving us a lecture that will forever linger in my mind. Congo instructed us to never become satisfied, complacent. He reminded us that a champion drives themselves to the limit everyday. He was not upset at our loss of a meet, rather our loss of an attitude. We were no longer running with our "RPM's" (think engines) maximized. Congo said being state runner-up our Sr.year would appear successful to outsiders. He then stated, "But you will know the difference. You will look back in 6 months, 5 years, 10 years, 25 years, 50 years and know you settled for less than your best. Will you be able to live with the knowledge of complacency?"

We drove through Ft. Riley returning to Manhattan High School. The roads are named after some of the great battles and Generals of the Big Red One, the Army's 1st Infantry Division. These served as reminders that Freedom is opposite Complacency. The Big Red One did not accept complacency when they made their amphibious landings during World War II at North Africa, Sicily, or Omaha Beach on portions called Easy Red and Fox Green. Complacency was not an option in the Hurtgen Forest or in the Battle of the Bulge. Complacency of a prayer life was non-existent, at least among those whom I have interviewed. Prayer was constantly intense.

Americans are continually fighting for Freedom, individually and collectively. Too many believe our greatness rests with our name and uniform. Conversely, America's name and uniform are great because of the men and women who have worn them and served this great Nation since its inception. America is great because of constant intense prayer, calling on our Lord Jesus Christ for His strength and guidance; followed by action. Whether running a foot race or Freedom race, complacency assures defeat.

Our 1984 team returned to praying and listening to our Lord, praying fervently; obedient to our coach's demands. Each of us maximized our efforts in faith. We won the championship, earning national honors by God's grace.

As Americans, we too must 'lay it on the line' everyday in both prayer and action. Listening to our Lord. Championships in cross country and Freedom must be won with an effort beyond the belief of the possible; an effort of Faith.

Faith or Complacency - The choice is ours!

Make it a Great Day in Christ!
Rick
www.rickemeyer.com