Just heard a story told by Joe Shane.

At 21 years old he interned for a NFL team. His primary job was to make coffee for a special team’s coach at 5am.

He got the “job” because he was assigned to do it for the first 2 days of camp. The third day another intern was assigned but that intern overslept. Management stated, “Because the other guy can’t be trusted, you have the job for the rest of camp.” From his own admission, it was not a glamorous job especially for a 21 year old who had high hopes and aspirations, but he did it anyway.

At the end of college he got a job as an assistant scout. Fast forward, today he’s the GM of the NY Giants.

At the end of the conversation the interviewer asked, “That had you making coffee for a special team’s coach, huh?” Joe Shane jokingly replied, “It’s really difficulty making coffee.”

Here’s my takeaway:

1. How come the special team’s coach couldn’t make his own coffee? It’s just coffee. It takes maybe 2 minutes.

- In leadership position, you’ve got to allow people to make coffee. I know it can be awkward and at times comes against your sense of serving and humility, but there are things anyone can do.

As a leader there are task that maybe small, but the time given to it can take away from the preparation and the concentration of your work.

And, there are tasks that everyone can do and there are task that only you can do. Learning how to humbly delegate these “anyone” tasks can help you be a better leader as the “only you” tasks will not be done unless you do them.

Also, allowing the “anyone” tasks to be done by others will help include everyone to the ultimate goal of the ministry or team. If you’re trying to do what can be done by others, then you squeeze out those who can be included (because the task is simple enough without the need for extensive experience or training.)

2. Be faithful even if it’s making coffee at 5am for a special team’s coach (not even the head coach)

- When serving some times we will be given tasks that others can easily do. Instead of having the “why me” (pronounced “whining”) spirit, have a faithful one.

Even if you have to do it begrudgingly at first, just go and do it faithfully. (Then change your perspective about it, so you can do it cheerfully.) That faithfulness will be recognized. And what may start out as coffee runs at 5am may become a high profile position some years later.

Consider that it’s not a “simple”, menial task that others can easily do. Consider it a testing of your faithfulness.

Jesus said, “If you can be faithful in small things, you can be trusted in much.”

Let’s bring it home.

In the things of God, there are many “small” things. Prayer first thing in the morning is one of those small things. Reading and studying your Bible daily is one of those small things. Attending service weekly is one of those small things. Giving is one of those small things.

You don’t need to be talented to do it. You don’t need to be gifted to do it. You don’t need to be super spiritual to do it. All you have to be is faithful, and God will see. And what is done in secret (at 5am when no one else is watching) will be rewarded openly.

Honor, ministry, money don’t start at the top. It starts at 5am—when no one’s watching, no one is seemingly paying attention—with coffee runs to a special team’s coach (a lower level coach).

Luke 16:10

Matthew 6:3-4