An Expectation of Nothing Part I

“Rat poison,” is a passiveness, lack of focus, and idleness created by a belief that one deserves certain privileges or treatment without having to earn it.

On October 11, 2024, Pat McAfee interviewed Nick Saban, the seven-time NCAA College Football national champion coach, on his show. Of course, Coach Saban had many profound insights about football and its future. A part of the interview transcends football and can be connected to the importance of discipleship in one’s spiritual journey. Coach Saban talks about creating a mindset of an expectation of nothing, saying,

“So I gave this message, and I don't even know if I can sort of repeat it exactly right, but it was about nothing. What are you entitled to when you get up in the morning? Nothing. What should you expect from other people? Nothing. What do you get if you have an ability but don't have discipline and focus? Nothing. What do you get if you don't prepare the right way and pay attention to detail? Nothing. So, nothing is more important than staying focused on being the best you can be no matter what you choose to do.”[1]

Nothing is the total absence of anything — a complete void, free of thoughts or actions. In football, winning can create an expectation of entitlement. In football, natural talent can lead to excessive dependence on ability alone, often without the effort to develop or refine the skill.

So, why does he suggest creating a mindset of an expectation of nothing in a team’s football culture? Creating an expectation of "nothing" shifts one’s perspective from passiveness (entitlement) to an active focus, avoiding idleness. When a team expects "nothing," they become more receptive to opportunities, challenges, and change with a mindset to work when work seems unnecessary, always being prepared, adapting, and finding value even in unexpected situations. In football, the “rat poison,” as Saban would call it, or “the cheese,” is passiveness, lack of focus, and idleness created by a belief that one deserves certain privileges or treatment without having to earn it. It’s easy to see how Alabama would easily fall into this trap. Under Saban’s leadership, the Crimson Tide had a winning percentage of 87% (206-29), six national championships (9 appearances with two losses coming to CLEMSON 😊), nine SEC championships, and his teams won double-digit games in every season except for his first, 2011 to 2023. How did Saban have such a successful tenure in Alabama? By letting NOTHING become more important than the best.

Shift this principle of expecting nothing to current church culture and personal discipleship. It is easy to see a church bloated by “rat poison.” Her current state is passiveness, lack of focus, and idleness. Participation in the Great Commission efforts has fallen into the trap of coming and seeing instead of going and telling. Discipleship is often viewed as an unnecessary and outdated practice or has been watered down to a Sunday school class with a prepackaged curriculum that does not challenge spiritual maturity or growth but focuses on the transfer of information.

The Apostle Paul once expected entitlement and privilege and had every worldly reason. He told the Philippians, “I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless” (Phil. 3:4-6, CSB). In essence, Paul told them, his fleshly pedigree justifies rights, privileges, and a sense of entitlement; he had every reason to be confident, especially when compared with others. When the Apostle Paul was struck with the blinding light on the road to Damascus, he was changed from a man of expectation to a man with an expectation of nothing. He says, “Everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss (nothing) because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss (nothing) in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil. 3:7-8a, CSB).

In Corinthians (11:24-29), he provides a long list of sufferings that were a by-product of his involvement in ministry and the gospel advancement that could even fuel his boasting. He said if I want to boast, “I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (1 Cor. 12-9b-10, CSB). Paul understood everything to be nothing when compared with Jesus. He was always receptive to meeting all opportunities, challenges, and changes with a mindset to work for the cause of Christ.

1. Pat McAfee Show. “Nick Saban: ‘Nothing’.” Accessed November 1, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z ysHxz5BMzk.