Playin The Game

I love basketball. I played in junior high and high school. Every year on my birthday I try to go see Globie and the Harlem Globe Trotters. They're a fun team to watch and they are sometimes called the "ambassadors of goodwill." They are inspiring to me, as well as alot of fun to watch with all of their crazy fun shots, dancing on the court, working with the kids and just the way they make me laugh the whole time I am there.

Then there's the Dallas Mavericks! I have to try to watch every game and I hate it when the season is over, I even try to plan my breaks when I am working so I can take lunch in the break room at the PD, so I can watch the game.

So, now that I gave you a little history on where I stand with Basketball, I will share with you why I chose to speak about it when I give the lesson next week at the Boy's Ranch. I always try to choose a topic that interests me and also a topic that would interest the boys, because as we all know teenage boys minds are easily distracted, so the topic has to be someting that holds their attention, but impacts their lives in such a way that they want to change, that they can see there is a better way, a better life than the one they have chosen.

To me, Basketball relates to the game of life in so many aspects. All of us in the game of life are either "playing games," or "playing the game." We all have a position we play, some of us are just sittin on the bench, but we need to identify where we are and what we are doing.

I imagine the court being the world, or our neighborhood, perhaps our workplace, where we shop, etc., and at each end of the court there's a goal, each belongs to one of the two teams, so which team am I playing on?, do I have one foot in the world?, am I trying to play on both teams? Am I playing for God.. or am I furthering Satan's kingdom. Am I a part of the problem or part of the solution.

I personally believe as Paul said we are to run the race, we have to get in the game. We have to take a shot, try to score a goal. We each have a chance to get the ball, (His Word). What we do with it, is what makes the difference in winning or losing in the game of life. Personally, I want to be all that God wants me to be, I want to impact those around me in the way God would have me to. I don't want to be a thermometer, I want to be a thermostat. I choose to set the temperature of the room, I don't want to just warm up to whatever situation is happening at the time. I want God to use me in such a way that I can make a difference wherever I am.

I don't want life to just happen to me, I want to make it happen, I want to live life on purpose. If I were playing a game of basketball, I would want to be dribbling, passing, shooting, pivoting and rebounding. I want to make sure I take the shots and score some points.

I have a coach, (the Lord), a playbook,(the Bible), a set of rules, (2 greatest commandments), team members, (brothers and sisters), role models who have played before, (cloud of witnesses cheering me on Heb. 12:1-3), I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. I'm not going to sit on the bench. Everyday I am going to get out there and play my heart out, I'm gonna grow, learn, stretch myself, study the playbook, do what it says and run for the prize!!!! And I am going to go to the rival team and get them to crossover, to change teams and positions, I am going to take as many with me as I can, I have the answer and I am going to share it, shout it, proclaim it until I have no life, no breath left within me. I could get carried away here, so I better stop now!!