Ever since Dr. Naismith gave us the game - it continues to be one of the most exciting sporting events in the world... It is played all over the globe by people of different races and ethnicities... It's played by men and women... Tall and short... On two legs, or in wheel chairs... You may enjoy watching youngsters run around the court learning the fundamentals... You might be a die hard fan for your local high school teams... You may be a "Crazy" for your college or alma mater! Or maybe you actually still enjoy the NBA (I have moved on from that level - not as fun as when Michael was inspiring us all...)
Basketball is game that's both fun to watch and play... It's also a good lesson for life... You need more than just one person to be a success... You need more than five people to be a success... You may have your "franchise" player - but that's not what breeds a champion...
For starters - you need a team to play for - an organization to wear proudly on your jersey... You then need coaches - people to teach you the game and guide you along each quarter or half to allow you to have the best tools possible to win the game (and more importantly) have a good season... You then need team mates - peers to both challenge you and work with you to achieve your goals and objectives... Some may start, others come off the bench, or even others that are on the practice squad... Every one is responsible for the score at the end of the game... You also need referees - people that keep the game safe and even... These folks take the pressure of being the most unpopular people in basketball so that the game can go on... Lastly - you need (probably the most important people) The Fans! We all need fans wearing our colors - holding up signs - lifting their hands when we're at the charity stripe - Yelling, "DEFENSE"! People that rush the floor when you overcome overwhelming odds - but will weep with you in the stands after a crushing defeat...
If you haven't seen the analogy yet - Playing basketball is a lot like being part of Jesus Christ's church... We need each other to be successful in this game of life... We are on the best team ever - The body of Christ! We have pastors and teachers that coach us along the game... We have team mates that we are in small group with , or go to Sunday school class with... We have the Holy Spirit serving as our referee to keep us in bounds and playing the game the way Jesus has meant for us to... And finally - we're the fans... We are to build each other up... We are to be yelling for each other and lifting our hands in support when each other is at the line...
Maybe you're not a fan of b-ball - but I hope you're a fan of Jesus - and know that being on His team is truly "the most wonderful time!"
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